FC Barcelona are struggling to get back to the soccer championship race in Spain’s La Liga, and superstar Lionel Messi’s setting the record for Brazil’s soccer icon Pelé was little consolation.
In stoppage time in the first half against Valencia CF, the six-time world footballer scored for the Catalans for the 643rd time and equaled Pelés’ best goal for a single club. It was the Argentine’s 748th official game for Barca.
In the home game, the Catalans struggled to Messi and goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen but only to a 2: 2 (1: 1). Mouctar Diakhaby (30th) gave Valencia the lead after a corner kick. After Messi’s equalization (45th + 4), Ronald Araujo (52nd) marked the 2-1 for Barcelona. But Maximiliano Gómez (69th) scored the 2-2.
A series of two wins in a row came to an end for the Messi team. Valencia have been without a threesome for five games.
In fifth place, Barca are eight points behind Atlético Madrid with 21 points. The capital club came to a 3-1 (1-0) against FC Elche on Saturday. Luis Suárez scored two goals for the Madrilenians (41./58.).
– .
