Valencia grab a deserved point in Camp Nou
The visitors surrendered a two-goal lead against the league leaders but had their chances to claim all three points in an entertaining clash.
Valencia brought Barcelona's eight-game winning run to a halt in Camp Nou and could have inflicted even more damage on the league leaders after taking a two-goal first half lead.
Kevin Gameiro opened the scoring after a lightning break and Dani Parejo doubled Valencia's advantage from the spot before Leo Messi also struck from 12 yards to reduce the deficit before half time.
After the break Barça pushed for an equaliser that eventually came from the boot of Messi, the Argentinean bending a glorious effort past Neto.
Both sides went hammer and tongs to find a winner and Rodrigo had the best of Valencia's chances but it was not the Spain international's evening.
As it was Barça were forced to settle for a point that temporarily extended their advantage at the top of the table to six points, with Atlético having the opportunity to close the gap to three when they travel to Seville to take on Betis on Sunday.
