Barcelona achieved an extremely important victory in the difficult visit of Valencia with 3: 2 in a match of the 34th round of the Spanish La Liga.
The Catalans continue the relentless battle for the title, which is still between four teams just as many rounds before the end. The difference in points is negligible and everyone between Atletico, Real, Barça and Sevilla can become a champion.
With two goals by Lionel Messi and one by Antoine Griezmann, Ronald Koeman’s team reached an invaluable success of “Mestaya” and tied for points in second place with Real – 74, but the “white ballet” is ahead because of the direct matches. Atletico continues to lead with 76 points and Sevilla with 70, but it will host Athletic Bilbao on Monday.
The Blaugranas played a strong match against one of the best teams in the league, but overslept the first half and could have problems. However, they succeeded thanks to the individual class of players such as Messi, Jordi Alba, Frankie De Jong and Antoine Griezmann. These four were the main engines. Valencia scored two goals through Gabriel Paulista and Carlos Soler, but failed to put enough pressure on the hesitant opponent’s defense. Thus, for the first time since 2016, he lost his home to the Catalans in the championship.
In the third minute Barça had a golden chance to take the lead. Antoine Griezmann passed to Frankie De Jong, who with one touch deflected for Pedry. The latter did not hit the door from the penalty spot.
In the 13th minute Roland Araujo shot from close range, but the ball met the body of the former guard of the Catalans Jasper Silesen.
This ended everything more interesting in the first part. The second, however, offered much more emotion.
Valencia started it in a whirlwind and took the lead in the 50th minute. Carlos Soler cross from a corner kick on the far post and there was Gabriel Paulista, who was dropped and realized with a header.
However, the Catalans managed to equalize after seven minutes. The referee awarded a penalty for a handball to Tony Lato, who had his back to the ball, but stopped a goal opportunity in front of the opponent. Messi shot from the penalty spot and Silesen saved his shot, but there was chaos in front of the door, after which the ball went to the feet of the Argentine again and he scored for 1: 1. It was as if he was destined to do so.
In the 63rd minute the turn in favor of Barça became complete. Jordi Alba crosses beautifully and Frankie De Jong shoots with his head. Silesen saved magnificently, but from close range Antoine Griezmann scored one of his easiest goals for 2: 1.
In the 69th minute Messi proved that he is better in direct free kicks than in penalties. His perfect performance bounced off the sidebar and flew into the net for 3: 1.
Barça fell asleep after the third goal, but regretted it. In the 83rd minute Carlos Soler exploded with a famous goal from distance, which left no chance for Ter-Stegen. By the end, the “bats” failed to cause new tension in front of the German guard.
In the other matches of the day:
Valladolid – Betis 1: 1
Villarreal – Getafe 1: 0
Granada – Cadiz 0: 1
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