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A defensive masterclass from Barcelona and Atletico Madrid ensured both sides could not be separated at full-time at the Camp Nou.
The two teams came into this clash knowing that a defeat could end their quest for the La Liga title, so it was understandable that both teams started proceedings rather cautiously.
Barcelona were without their suspended manager Ronald Koeman for this game following his red card against Granada.
The hosts made one change to the side that saw off Valencia last Sunday, with Oscar Mingueza coming in for Ronald Araujo on the right side of defence. Diego Simeone made two changes to his starting lineup. Koke and Felipe came in for Geoffrey Kondogbia and Jose Gimenez, respectively.
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A cagey start to the game saw both sides struggle to create any sort of rhythm, although it was Atletico Madrid who fashioned a few half-chances early on.
Both managers were forced into first half substitutions due to injuries. Thomas Lemar left the field to be replaced by Saul Niguez, while Barcelona's Sergio Busquets could not continue after suffering a head injury.
Atletico Madrid ended the first half on the ascendancy. They went close to taking the lead, but Marcos Llorente, Luis Suarez and Angel Correa fluffed presentable openings.
Barcelona's sole moment of magic in the first half came from their inspirational captain Lionel Messi, who dribbled his way across the Atletico defence before forcing Jan Oblak into a world-class save.
The second half trudged along without much incident. But the game came alive on the hour mark when Ilaix Moriba won a corner from a good header that was blocked.
Messi forced Oblak into another save from a free-kick, and Ronald Araujo put the ball in the back of the net in the 70th minute, but it was chalked off for offside.
Ousmane Dembele's introduction added more urgency in the Barcelona attack as he headed a Jordi Alba cross over the bar from a promising position.
On the overall balance of play, though, a goalless draw was probably the right result on a night that was full of drama and intensity but lacked attacking fluidity.
Up next for Barcelona is a trip to Levante on Tuesday, while Atletico Madrid host Real Sociedad a day later as the La Liga title race heats up.
On that note, let's take a look at five talking points from the game.
#1 The La Liga title race is well and truly on
At the turn of the year, Atletico Madrid were odds-on favourites to win a second league title this century, while Barcelona were far from certain about a top-four finish.
However, the tides have since turned, Atletico Madrid's stutter, Barcelona's near-invincibility and Real Madrid's doggedness have combined to produce arguably the most thrilling title race in Europe this season.
Even Sevilla in fourth place are not entirely out of the reckoning, despite their narrow 1-0 defeat to Athletic Bilbao on Monday.
Nevertheless, this draw means the La Liga title race is wide open, with just three points separating the top three sides with three rounds of games to go.
A victory for either Barcelona or Atletico Madrid would have put them in a more favourable position entering the final three game weeks, but avoiding defeat to a direct rival was also a gain.
#2 Barcelona's unbeaten home run continues against Atletico Madrid
One of the biggest sub-plots in the La Liga in the last decade was Diego Simeone's struggles against Barcelona.
For all the gains made by Atletico Madrid under the wily Argentine tactician, the Blaugrana have always been a major albatross for the capital side in the La Liga.
Diego Simeone finally got a league victory against Barcelona at the 18th time of asking early this season when Yannick Carrasco's first-half goal decided the game at the Wanda Metropolitano in November.
That win would have given Los Colchoneros a massive boost heading into this clash. But Atletico Madrid had the weight of history against them, as they had not won a league game at the Camp Nou since 2006.
Barcelona's impressive home record against Atletico Madrid continued. But the draw is a bittersweet result for the hosts, who would have preferred to get all three points to bolster their title hopes.
#3 Real Madrid the big winners on the night
Real Madrid would have been keeping a keen eye on the game between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, as it has implications on an intriguing title race.
The defending champions came into this gameweek in second spot, two points behind city rivals Atletico Madrid and level on points with their El Clasico rivals Barcelona.
Real Madrid have been forged into a dogged machine under Zinedine Zidane, and their resoluteness has ensured they are in prime position to retain their league title despite not performing at their best.
La Liga uses head-to-head as the first tiebreaker in the league standings. The Bernabeu outfit hold the aces in this regard, as they boast a superior head-to-head record against both Atletico Madrid and Barcelona.
Real Madrid still have the not-so-small matter of a clash at Sevilla on Sunday to navigate, and Julen Lopetegui's side are inarguably one of the toughest tests for the defending champions.
However, a win in that game would see Real Madrid move level on points with Atletico Madrid and atop the league table while also extending their advantage over Barcelona to two points.
#4 Luis Suarez fails to fire against Barcelona
Luis Suarez achieved legendary status in six trophy-laden seasons at Barcelona, but he had an unceremonious exit from the club at the start of the current campaign.
The Uruguay international insists the Blaugrana were wrong in the way they handled his exit, and he came to Atletico Madrid with a point to prove to his detractors.
His early-season form proved to be the driving force behind Atletico Madrid's title surge. Even though his goals have dried up in recent weeks, Suarez still remains a bonafide game-changer.
He missed the first league clash between the two teams due to a positive COVID-19 test but was determined to make amends on his return to the Camp Nou.
Suarez looked inspired from the off on his old stomping ground and was his usual hassling self against his former teammates.
But for all his efforts, Atletico Madrid could not conjure too many opportunities for their no. 9 to capitalise on. Suarez himself was also guilty of not making the most of the half-chances that came his way.
#5 Barcelona suffer injury blow
Barcelona lost Sergio Busquets to injury after the Spain international had to come off following a clash of heads with Stefan Savic.
The World Cup winner bravely tried to play on, but considering the delicate nature of head injuries, it was decided that it would be best for him to be replaced by Ilaix Moriba.
No indications have been given yet about the severity of the injury. But Barcelona will hope their midfield dynamo is not ruled out for too long, considering how important he has been to the Blaugrana's play.
