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Teenager gives new Real boss first Liga win, Barca shine in late show

Jose Angel Pozo cancelled out Suarez’s opener with a bending shot inside the post and then Alvaro Garcia put the home side ahead, tapping in from a yard within a minute of coming on as a substitute.

Rayo’s fans believed but so did Barca, and when Dembele, also on off the bench, curved his shot in with three minutes left, there was still time for a winner.

Suarez grabbed it, pouncing for his sixth goal in four games, a brilliant run of form and just at the right time, while Messi recovers from his broken arm.

Valverde said Messi would be assessed ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League game away to Inter Milan. He praised Suarez too.

“Suarez has been getting better and better for a long time,” Valverde said. “Now he’s getting more goals and now he’s scoring them when we also need them most. We are delighted.”

Earlier, Antoine Griezmann scored a sumptuous free-kick but Atletico Madrid missed the chance to go top for a few hours after drawing at struggling Leganes.

Griezmann’s bending effort in the second half looked likely to prove the difference in a contest short on chances at Butarque but Guido Carrillo’s 82nd-minute equaliser earned Leganes a deserved point.

“We played for more and wanted more but have to settle for a point,” Diego Simeone said.

“The feeling is bitter-sweet,” added Saul Niguez. “We know it is in these matches where the league is decided. Leganes played a great first half but we have to be more ambitious and should have won.”

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