La Liga: Luis Suarez goal gives Barcelona one point against Betis

Luis Suarez is shocked after Barcelona are denied a goal against Real Betis during a La Liga encounter at Madrid yesterday. Pic/AFP

Madrid: Barcelona's La Liga title challenge suffered a huge blow as the Spanish champions were controversially held 1-1 at Real Betis despite Luis Suarez's last minute equaliser yesterday.

Aleix Alegria gave Betis the lead their dominance deserved 15 minutes from time when he bundled home from close range after Marc-Andre ter Stegen flapped at a corner.

However, Barca were rightly infuriated seconds later as the ball clearly crossed the Betis goalline, but no goal was given by referee Alejandro Jose Hernandez.

Suarez did at least rescue a point in the dying seconds, though, as he slotted home Lionel Messi's through ball for his 21st goal of the season.