Argentine prodigy dampens Barca title chase

Atletico Madrid's Argentinian striker Sergio Aguero's second-half goal forced a 1-1 draw with Barcelona here leaving the European champions three points adrift of league leaders Sevilla.

The 18-year-old, who was given his debut aged just 15 at former club Independiente, struck on the hour to further dampen Barcelona's spirits after their shock defeat in the Club World Cup last Sunday to Brazilian side Internacional.

Aguero, who cost Atletico 16.5million euros, drew his side level after an archetypal freekick from Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho in the first-half had given the hosts the lead.

However it was not enough to win the game and Atletico became only the second side - Valencia being the other - to leave the Nou Camp with a point this season.

If there was any keeper that Ronaldinho would have fancied his chances against with a freekick it would be Leonardo Franco - who has the second worst record of any Spanish championship 'keeper in saving freekicks.

Barcelona certainly had the majority of the best chances of the first-half starting in the third minute when Deco should have done better than shoot straight at Franco after a selfless pass from Eidur Gudjohnsen.

Franco had to repel a header by Andres Iniesta with his legs in the 20th minute as Barca turned on the pressure.

Atletico's best chance of the first period came in the 27th minute as Antonio Lopez forced Victor Valdes into a terrific save to stop Barca from falling behind.

However Atletico folded finally to Barcelona after a foul on the lively Iniesta - who earlier had appeals rightly turned down for a penalty - and Ronaldinho curled in a stunning freekick which Franco did well to get a hand to but was incapable of stopping it.

The opening to the second-half was scrappy but Atletico got back on terms in the 60th minute as Aguero ran on to a superb defence splitting pass by French playmaker Peter Luccin and slotted the ball past Valdes, who got a hand to it, for his fourth goal of the campaign.