Messi strike helps Barca earn draw against Madrid

BARCELONA, May 7 (AP): Rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid showed Sunday that they don't need titles at stake to produce a thrilling game of football.

With Barcelona already Spanish league champion and Madrid focused on its Champions League final later this month, it was supposed to be the most low-key "clasico" in years.

Instead, the Camp Nou was treated to a heated contest and four goals, including Lionel

Messi's strike which ensured 10-man Barcelona salvaged a 2-2 draw and remained undefeated in the league this season.

When asked if the match had lived up to its "decaffeinated" billing, Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde said: "Decaf? It had extra caffeine. Both sides always want to win a game like this."

Ronaldo added a goal of his own and gave Madrid's fans a scare when he couldn't play on through a leg injury and needed to be substituted at halftime.

Ronaldo hurt his lower right leg while canceling out Luis Suarez's opener in the 10th minute.

Madrid was dominating the match when Barcelona right back Sergi Roberto was shown a direct red card in first-half injury time for swiping his hand at Marcelo's face as tempers flared.

But Messi came to the hosts' rescue, sending the ball past Keylor Navas in the 52nd to swing the match back in Barcelona's favor despite playing a man down.

Messi was stopped by goalkeeper Keylor Navas from scoring again and Gareth Bale pulled Madrid level in the 72nd after curling in a pass by substitute Marco Asensio.

Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said that he wasn't worried about Ronaldo being able to play in the Champions League final against Liverpool on May 26. Barcelona stayed unbeaten through 35 league matches this season and extended its record run to 42 consecutive games without a loss.

Barcelona has three matches left to become the first team to go unbeaten in the competition since the 1930s, when it consisted of 10 teams compared to 20 now.