Barcelona have missed the chance to close the gap to league leaders Atletico Madrid after being held to a goalless draw with Elche in La Liga this evening.

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Lionel Messi had a chance to put the visitors ahead just a couple of minutes into the match, but he could not force the ball in from a tight angle.

After a dominant spell from Barcelona, Elche started to find their way into the game, but Domingo Cisma had a strike blocked from close range.

Manuel Yague was called into action in the home side's goal before the break as Andres Iniesta tried to volley the ball in from the edge of the box.

Pedro and Messi had further efforts before the break, but neither side could find the opening goal before half time.

Yague was tested again shortly after the restart when a long ball forward fell to Messi, but the keeper came off his line to block the finish.

The Argentine continued to look Barcelona's most likely source of a goal, beating two defenders and firing another shot wide before heading off target moments later.

The visitors continued to dominate in front of goal as they looked to keep the pressure on the league leaders, but were nearly caught out by Elche on the counter-attack as Coro looked for Garry Rodrigues, but Barcelona cleared.

Adriano tried to curl the ball in for Barcelona inside the final 10 minutes, but his strike finished just inches wide.

The visitors had a free kick on the edge of the box late on, but Yague was able to punch the delivery clear before Ruben Perez booted it away from the penalty box.

Barcelona will have to beat Atletico at the Camp Nou next weekend to win the title.