BARCELONA (AFP) - Lionel Messi scored for a ninth consecutive match, but his latest double on Saturday (Feb 2) was only enough to earn Barcelona a 2-2 draw against Valencia.
Kevin Gameiro and Dani Parejo's penalty gave Valencia a surprise two-goal lead but Messi pulled one back with his own spot-kick before curling in a brilliant equaliser with 26 minutes left.
After their stunning comeback against Sevilla in midweek, Barca looked destined to again finish the job, but Valencia held on for a point after a breathless contest at the Camp Nou.
Messi's 20th and 21st league goals of the season left Barca six points clear of Atletico Madrid, who could cut the gap to three by beating Real Betis on Sunday, with Real Madrid, 11 points back, at home to Alaves.
After eight consecutive Barcelona wins in La Liga, this result perhaps offered the chasing pack a little encouragement at the start of a testing month for the Catalans.
Real could inflict further disruption themselves. They play Barca in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals on Wednesday, in what will be the first of three Clasicos in a month. The latter two will be back-to-back, within four days.
But with Messi in this sort of form, any confidence from Real comes with an asterisk.
His 12 goals in his last nine games is the same number the whole Valencia squad managed in their first 15 league matches. Valencia were 15th in December, with only three wins, and their coach Marcelino was under pressure, just six months after propelling them back into the Champions League.
The club kept faith and results have improved. They have now lost only one of their last seven matches and are within sight of the top four.
Valencia deserved their first-half lead and could have scored sooner, Parejo drawing a smart save from Marc-Andre ter Stegen before Denis Cheryshev lashed the rebound off the far post.
The visitors rode their luck as two decisions went their way in a matter of minutes. First, Barca could have had a penalty when Gabriel Paulista blocked Nelson Semedo's shot with his hand.
Then the home team should have had a free-kick as Messi was bundled over by Parejo. The latter proved key, with Valencia sprawling forward on the counter-attack.
Rodrigo carried the ball 40 yards before slipping a cute reverse pass behind Vermaelen. Gameiro banged in the finish.
Valencia's penalty was clear after Sergi shoved Daniel Wass in the back, with Parejo whipping the ball into the corner to make it two.
Barca looked shell-shocked but the third goal in 15 minutes was theirs. Semedo beat Toni Lato to Arturo Vidal's pass and tumbled after a clip on his shin. Messi slammed the loose ball into the top corner but the whistle had blown. He rolled in the penalty instead.
Sergi's shot crashed against the post and Barca were dominant after half-time. Messi and Carles Alena had shots saved, and Messi headed over.
At the other end, on a rare Valencia break, Rodrigo should have made it three but, on the stretch, put it over from six yards.
That was in the 63rd minute, and in the 64th, Barcelona were level. Vidal teed up Messi, who teed up his own left foot and curled the ball inside the post.
The teams, and the crowd, seemed to take a breath, in anticipation of a late push, but it never came. The draw was a fair result.
Author Soccernoob Posted on February 15, 2019 February 15, 2019 Categories 2018-19 Isle of Sodor FA news Tags AS Roma, FA, J&S, Junction & Sheds, Knapford Town, Roma, Serie A, Zaniolo Leave a comment on Knapford Town FC's teen midfielder discovers grandma might as well be on Craigslist
Chiesa Di Totti Archives - Roma Youth & Reserves - Page 1
Ole aiming for European glory, Football News & Top Stories
Lost your password? If you are stuck, please let us know.let us know.
Kahoot!
(Reuters) - Crystal Palace all but banished any lingering relegation fears as captain Luka Milivojevic fired home a late penalty to secure a 1-0 Premier League victory at Newcastle on Saturday.
Soccer: Milivojevic penalty seals Palace win at Newcastle
Son contemplated Tottenham exit until discussion with Pochettino football is difficult but always it's about time. You can learn a lot from these difficult moments," Pochettino said. "The
Son contemplated Tottenham exit until discussion with
The victory, which followed Barca's 3-0 win over Real in a Copa del Rey semi-final on Wednesday, gave them a 10-point lead at the top over Atletico Madrid, who visit Real Sociedad on Sunday, and
Nazri, 48, who was recently appointed assistant to new national coach Tatsuma Yoshida, said: "They responded to me very well and I always try to win the players' trust, that's the most important
Football: Even if they come on for just five minutes, I trust
Russell Westbrook is with the Oklahoma City Thunder for the long haul. The next 16 games could determine what kind of help he has beyond this season. The clock is ticking on this Thunder core
Clock Ticking on MTA Overtime Glut as Union Sours on Cuomo
Maurizio Sarri says Chelsea's trip to Manchester United this weekend is a 'must not lose' fixture. Fourth-placed Chelsea travel to Old Trafford to face sixth-placed United on Sunday, in a clash which could have a huge say on who secures Champions League football for next season.
Sarri: Chelsea cannot lose to United - eurosport.com
Jose Mourinho says the belief Jurgen Klopp has instilled in his Liverpool squad was behind the stunning win over Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals.
Jose Mourinho showers praise on Jurgen Klopp, says liverpool
SAO PAULO, June 7 (Reuters) - Brazil have called up Chelsea forward Willian to replace the injured Neymar for this month's Copa America, the Brazilian Football Confederation said on Friday.
Real Madrid remains six points clear of Barcelona at the top of La Liga after a dramatic Clasico encounter at Camp Nou ended 1-1 following Sergio Ramos's last-gasp equalizer in the 90th minute
World Snooker Championship 2018: Wakelin rues missed chance
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen