DHAKA: Atletico Madrid won La Liga for the first time since 1996 by securing a draw in a pulsating match at Barcelona.

Striker Diego Costa went off injured for Atletico early on and Barcelona capitalised as Alexis Sanchez smashed in a superb opener.

Atletico came out strong in the second half as David Villa hit the post before Diego Godin headed an equaliser.

Barcelona would have won the title with a win and Dani Alves went close with a fierce drive, but Atletico held on.

The final whistle was greeted by wild celebrations from the Atletico players and coaching staff, while the entire Nou Camp stood to applaud Diego Simeone’s side as they finally ended the Barcelona-Real Madrid duopoly in Spanish football.

The draw meant Atletico finished first with 90 points, three ahead of Barcelona and Real.

It completed what has been a superb season for Atletico, which has seen them take victory at city rivals Real, as well as win nine league games in succession to go top of the table last month.

Their run faltered slightly towards the end, as they lost to Levante and drew at home to Malaga, but they went into the game against Barcelona knowing a point would be enough to win the title.

If that gave Atletico players any psychological advantage, it was swiftly eradicated when Simeone’s side lost two of their key players inside the opening 20 minutes.

Their first casualty was Costa. The striker, with 27 goals in the league this season, had only just returned to the side after missing last week’s draw with Malaga, and he lasted just 14 minutes before his hamstring went after a brief sprint.

Costa limped off in tears and just seven minutes later it got worse for the visitors. Arda Turan, so often the creator of Atletico’s better moves this season, landed on his back awkwardly when challenging for possession and he too was unable to continue, BBC reported.

To Atletico’s credit, they did not let that double blow disrupt them as they managed to keep Barcelona at arm’s length, whilst also threatening occasionally themselves.

Atletico’s Tiago directed a header over the bar from Koke’s inviting cross, before Pedro missed with a similar attempt for Barcelona soon after.

BDST: 0951 HRS, MAY 18, 2014