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Attendance: 63,208
Barcelona logo
La Liga
Dec 2, 2017 at 12pm UK
 
Celta Vigo logo

2-2

Messi (22'), Suarez (62')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Aspas (20'), Gomez (70')

Barcelona drop rare points on home soil as Celta Vigo hit back

Barcelona drop rare points on home soil
© SilverHub
Barcelona drop points for the second time in two games - and the first time at home in 12 months - as Celta Vigo earn a 2-2 draw at Camp Nou.

Celta Vigo have become the first side to take points off Barcelona at Camp Nou in nearly a year, courtesy of a 2-2 draw in Saturday's early kickoff.

The Catalan giants had won 12 out of 12 on home soil heading into this match and required victory today to make it a full year without dropping any points.

Maxi Gomez levelled up after Barca had turned the game on its head with goals either side of half time, meaning that the league leaders have now drawn their last two matches to open up the La Liga title race.

With 24 goals being scored in the last four meetings between these two sides, a lively contest was expected and it more than lived up to the hype.

Having been dealt a blow just a few minutes into the match with the loss of defender Sergio Gomez, Celta had to sit back a little as Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez both got shots away, the former at the end of a trademark slalom run.

The Sky Blues set up positively in terms of formation, with seven-goal Iago Aspas and Gomez playing alongside each other in attack, and they were rewarded 20 minutes in when their top scorer found the net.

Barca were left completely exposed at the back when Samuel Umtiti was drawn high up the pitch and, after Marc-Andre ter Stegen produced one of the saves of the season to block the initial shot, Aspas was there to tuck home the rebound.

Less than two minutes later the Catalans were level, thanks to a smart finish from Messi to tuck the ball through Ruben Blanco's legs after being played through by Paulinho - his first goal since October 28.

Suarez then put his side ahead moments later when latching on to an impressive Messi through-ball, only for the officials to wrongly flag him for offside.

Further chances fell the way of Paulinho and Daniel Wass in a gripping conclusion to the first half, neither of whom were able to keep their composure from close range.

The first big chance of the second period fell the way of Paulinho, who did the hard work by rounding the opposition keeper before finding the side-netting from a tight angle.

A subdued Barca were temporarily brought back to life when Denis Suarez was introduced from the bench to provide some midfield creativity, with a fine passing move culminating in the hosts' second.

Suarez, with just two goals in his last eight games prior to this one, was picked out by Jordi Alba for a simple finish to put the league leaders ahead for the first time.

That lead lasted less than 10 minutes as, after a couple of Blanco saves, Aspas left Umtiti for dead down the right-hand side - the defender pulling up injured in the process with a hamstring strain - and then had the quality to spot attacking teammate Gomez to do the rest from 10 yards.

Paulinho fired over the bar from a good position and Gerard Pique clipped the outside of the post as Barcelona quickly responded, while Messi also nodded inches wide.

Celta were simply refusing to sit back, however, as Pione Sisto tested Ter Stegen in the closing stages, though the final chance of the match fell the way of substitute Paco Alcacer, who failed to keep his header on target when under little pressure.

Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Sergi Roberto, Pique, Umtiti (Vermaelen 72'), Jordi Alba; Busquets, Iniesta (D.Suarez 53'), Rakitic (Alcacer 79'), Paulinho; Messi, L.Suarez

Celta Vigo: Ruben Blanco; Mallo, Fontas, S.Gomez (Cabral 4'), Mendez (Roncaglia 63'); Jozabed (Hernandez 84'), Lobotka; Wass, Sisto, M.Gomez; Iago Aspas

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Ernesto Valverde head coach of Athletic Bilbao during the first leg of UEFA Champions League qualifying play-offs round match between SSC Napoli and Athletic Club on August 19, 2014
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid32256170224881
2Barcelona32217464372770
3GironaGirona32215667402768
4Atletico MadridAtletico32194959382161
5Athletic Bilbao321610652302258
6Real Sociedad321312746341251
7Real BetisBetis32121284038248
8Valencia32138113534147
9Villarreal32119125155-442
10Getafe32913103844-640
11Osasuna32116153746-939
12Sevilla32910134145-437
13Las PalmasLas Palmas32107153039-937
14AlavesAlaves3298152838-1035
15Rayo Vallecano32713122739-1234
16Celta Vigo32710153747-1031
17Mallorca32613132638-1231
18CadizCadiz32413152245-2325
19Granada3239203361-2818
20Almeria32111203164-3314


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