Barcelona welcomed Celta Vigo to the Camp Nou on Saturday evening knowing that three points would see them return to the top of the La Liga table.
Despite a first period full of opportunities, the score remained goalless at the interval.
Celta - who had to ride their luck - broke the deadlock early in the second period when Joaquin Larrivey found the bottom corner.
Barcelona hit the woodwork four times in addition to creating a number of strong opportunities, but they could not find the back of the net as Celta held on for a stunning victory.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's third and final live La Liga commentary of the day comes from the Camp Nou as Barcelona welcome Celta Vigo. Three points for the home side would see them return to the top of the table – a position that was taken by Real Madrid earlier this afternoon.
Celta, meanwhile, enter the match having lost just once in the league this season. A total of 16 points has left them in sixth position, while they were comfortable 3-0 winners over Levante last time out. That said, Celta have not beaten Barcelona in the league since 2004 and lost 3-0 in the corresponding match last term.
TEAMS
BARCA: Bravo; Alves, Mascherano, Mathieu, Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Rafinha; Neymar, Messi, Suarez
CELTA: Sergio; Mallo, Cabral, Gomez, Jonny; Radoja, Pablo; Krohn-Delhi, Orellana, Nolito; Larrivey
So there we have it. Luis Suarez will make his home debut for Barcelona this evening, with the forward included alongside Lionel Messi and Neymar in attack. There are also spots in the team for Rafinha and Ivan Rakitic. Celta, meanwhile, start with in-form pair Nolito and Joaquin Larrivey in attack.
PREDICTION! Have a look at what I said about this match here...
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. Will Barcelona return to the top of the table tonight? The home side get the first 45 minutes of action underway at the Camp Nou.
It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium this evening. Celta will be a real test for the home side that is for certain. As expected, Barca have taken control of the possession in the opening couple of minutes, with their midfield three enjoying early touches of the ball.
Suarez has been involved in the early exchanges, with the striker dropping deep to collect possession. Celta have not really been allowed to take control of the ball thus far, with one-way traffic on the agenda. You just get the feeling that the away side need to ride out the opening 15 minutes or so here.
Suarez is again involved as the Uruguay international drives down the right before delivering towards Neymar, but the Brazilian cannot connect. Rafinha picks up the pieces outside the box, but the midfielder cannot find Alba. Not too much in terms of an attacking threat from Celta in the opening six minutes.
CHANCE! The first real chance of the match comes to Neymar as Suarez slides in his fellow attacker, but the Brazilian takes one touch too many inside the box, allowing Mallo to clear.
CHANCE! Another opportunity for Neymar as the attacker meets a cross from Rakitic, but his header is straight into the arms of Alvarez. Barcelona are really threatening here.
First sign of Celta as an attacking threat as Nolito takes advantage of a lapse from Alves before driving into the Barcelona box, but Alves is back to make the challenge. Neymar attempts to break down the other end, but the Brazilian cannot keep possession. Good tempo to the match with 11 minutes played.
CROSSBAR! Neymar is again involved for the home side after curling a beautiful effort from outside the box, but the forward's strike rattles the crossbar. Neymar has been the main threat.
BOOKING! Hernandez goes into the book for a physical challenge on Busquets.
Well, plenty has happened in the opening 15 minutes of this match. Barcelona should really be ahead - with Neymar having three chances for the home side. Suarez, meanwhile, has been extremely bright, with the Uruguay international a threat in wide positions. Celta, however, survive for now.
Celta have a free kick just outside the box as Mascherano brings Nolito to the ground...
... the resulting set piece is taken by Nolito, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Poor.
Celta have just started to find their way in this match, with the likes of Larrivey and Nolito threatening in the final third. There is a strangely subdued atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment, which is strange for a Barcelona team that have started this match well. That said, the score is still 0-0 here.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of minutes, with the referee forced to intervene following a number of late challenges. Barcelona attempt to threaten down the left as Rakitic looks for Alba, but the left-back cannot meet the pass and Celta have a goal kick with 21 minutes played.
Another half-chance for the away side as Krohn-Dehli slides a pass into Nolito, who faces up to Mascherano just outside the box, but the Argentine is on hand to clear. Nolito delivers from the resulting corner, but once again the danger is cleared. Decent spell of the match for the visitors at the moment.
Nolito is again involved for the away side as the Spaniard drives to the edge of the Barcelona box, but his effort is deflected into the arms of Bravo. Not too much from Barcelona in the last few minutes.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes, but Celta continue to impress, with their full-backs prepared to advance into the final third of the field. You just get the feeling that Barcelona need a goal just to settle everyone down. There is a real nervousness in the crowd at the moment.
CHANCE! Hernandez comes close for Celta after meeting a corner from the right, but his header is straight at Bravo. Celta are proving a real threat at the Camp Nou.
Barcelona continue to look nervous from set pieces, with Celta now turning the screw in the final third. Barcelona have plenty of firepower, but the away side are proving a threat. Messi has the chance to threaten inside the box, but the Argentine runs out of space at the final moment.
SAVE! Sensational goalkeeping from Alvarez as the Celta stopper denies Messi, who had been found by a Neymar pass. It was an exceptional stop from the away side's goalkeeper.
CROSSBAR! Messi thinks that he has opened the scoring after driving into the Celta box and seemingly finishing into the bottom corner, but Jonny makes a wonderful block - deflecting Messi's effort onto the crossbar and away from goal. What a stunning piece of defending from the left-back!
CHANCE! Another wonderful chance for the home side as Suarez finds the head of Messi inside the Celta box, but the Argentine puts his effort over the crossbar. How is this still 0-0?!
Little under 10 minutes of the first period remaining and it has been a brilliant La Liga clash thus far. The only disappointment is that neither side has been able to open the scoring. Nolito remains the main threat for the away side, while Larrivey is doing his best to hold possession in the final third of the field.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes, with Barcelona frustrated time and time again. That final pass just has not been there for the home side thus far.
Alves has possession in a wide area after good work from Messi, but the right-back delivers straight into the arms of the Celta goalkeeper. The away side are down the other end moments later, with Nolito delivering into Larrivey, but Mathieu is on hand to make a fine clearance. End-to-end football once again.
CHANCE! Opportunity for Suarez this time as the attacker finds some space on the edge of the box before driving one towards the bottom corner, but Alvarez makes another smart save.
SAVE! Again Alvarez makes a wonderful save to deny Neymar, who had broke into the final third and placed one towards the bottom corner. Alvarez has been just sensational!
HALF-TIME: Barcelona 0-0 Celta
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end, with Celta holding Barcelona to a goalless draw at the Camp Nou. There has been plenty of chances, with Neymar and Messi both coming close for the home side, while Celta have also had some positive moments on the counter attack.
STATS! The home side have dominated the possession with 65%, while they have had eight attempts - six of which have been on target. Celta, meanwhile, have hit the target with just one of their four attempts. There has also been one yellow card, with Hernandez having his name taken for Celta.
BENCH WATCH! The home side have plenty of attacking options on their bench this evening, with the likes of Munir, Pedro and Xavi among those on the sidelines. Celta, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Charles, Madinda and Mina. There is plenty of talent on both benches tonight.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second 45 minutes. Will Barcelona's frustration continue? The away side get the second period underway at the Camp Nou.
No changes from either side at the interval, which is not much of a surprise at this stage of proceedings. However, I suspect that both managers will look to their benches if the score remains level for the next 20 minutes or so. This should be a fascinating second half of Spanish football in Barcelona.
Neymar is again involved for the home side as the Brazilian drives down the left before driving a cross towards Messi, but Radoja manages to direct his clearance towards his own goalkeeper, who can collect.
CROSSBAR! Barcelona hit the crossbar for the third time this evening as Neymar rattles the woodwork following a low cross from Alba. Is this not going to be Barcelona's night?
Half-chance for the home side once again as Rakitic finds some space outside the box, but his effort was always rising high and wide of the crossbar. Not too much from Celta since the interval.
Possession football from the home side as they continue to pass and probe in the final third, but Celta remain strong in defensive areas. You just get the feeling that Celta need to score the first goal if they are to take something from this match. A goal for the home side would change things entirely.
Another half-chance for the home side as Messi feeds Suarez, who drives into the Celta box, but the forward just takes one touch too many and the chance is gone. Hernandez is down the other end for the visitors moments later, but Mathieu comes across to deny the Spaniard. Good pressure from Celta.
GOAL! Barcelona 0-1 Celta (Larrivey)
Would you believe it! Celta have the lead at the Camp Nou as Nolito sets up Larrivey inside the Barcelona box and the forward lashes one into the bottom corner. Poor defending from Barcelona.
Little over 30 minutes of this contest remaining and Celta have the lead. Barcelona missed chance after chance and they have been made to pay, but there is still time to turn this one around.
Half-chance for the home side as Alves finds the head of Rafinha inside the Celta box, but his header is straight into the arms of Alvarez, who has been absolutely wonderful in the Celta goal tonight.
CHANCE! Barcelona threaten once more as Messi delivers a dangerous free kick towards Suarez, who looks to have a free header on goal, but Gomez makes an excellent clearance.
Celta just cannot get out of their own half - or their own box - at the moment as Barcelona force corner after corner, but the home side cannot find that final touch. Mathieu has a header inside the box, but his effort was always moving high of the crossbar. Little under 30 minutes of this La Liga contest to play.
Barcelona need their supporters at the moment, but there is such a muted atmosphere inside the stadium. Xavi, meanwhile, is preparing to enter the field for the home side, which is not much of a surprise.
CHANCE! Messi faces up to Alvarez once more, but this time it is the leg of the Celta goalkeeper that makes the save. Can Celta hold out? It is a big ask under this pressure.
SUBS! Double change for Barcelona as Xavi and Pedro replace Rafinha and Busquets.
Barcelona now have four attackers on the field - Suarez, Neymar, Messi and Pedro!
Messi is seemingly playing in midfield for Barcelona, with Pedro and Neymar either side of Suarez. Will that bring about a change in fortune? Celta, meanwhile, are preparing to make their first change.
SUB! Celta make their first change as Borja Fernandez replaces Hernandez.
CHANCE! Another wonderful chance for the home side as Pedro finds the head of Suarez inside the Celta box, but his header is straight at Alvarez. Oh my word what a chance!
Little over 15 minutes of this contest remaining and still Celta lead at the Camp Nou. Another half-chance comes to the home side as Pedro curls one from outside the box, but his effort was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. You still get the feeling that Barcelona will turn this one around here.
BOOKING! Barcelona have a free kick just outside the box as Sergi Gomez - who picks up a booking - fouls Suarez. What a chance for the home side here...
... the resulting free kick is taken by Messi, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Poor.
SUB! Celta make their second change as Charles replaces Larrivey.
More frustration for the home side as another attack comes to an end down the left. Celta break down the other end with Krohn-Dehli moments later, but the Danish international cannot find a cross into the box. Little over 10 minutes and still Celta lead courtesy of that 55th-minute Larrivey effort.
CHANCE! Incredible chance for Celta to score a second as Charles meets a loose save from Bravo, but the Brazilian heads over the crossbar from close range. Wow!
Barcelona continue to force the issue as Messi wins a free kick from Fernandez. Messi will take...
... CROSSBAR! Oh my word. Messi's effort strikes the top of the crossbar. That is four times that Barcelona have hit the woodwork this evening. Four times!
CHANCE! It is brilliant work from Charles as the Celta forward collects a cross on his chest before spinning and striking on the volley, but Bravo tips the striker's effort over the crossbar.
It just will not go in for Barcelona as Messi attempts to settle inside a crowded box, but the danger is cleared once again. Little over five minutes remaining and Celta are on the verge of something special here.
SAVE! Another stunning save from Alvarez as the Celta stopper tips a Suarez effort wide of the post. What on earth is happening here? Alvarez has just been extraordinary.
Another chance comes and goes for the home side as Neymar finds Suarez inside the box, but a Celta foot is first to the ball and the danger is cleared. Celta are camped outside their own box at the moment.
SUB! Celta make their third and final change as Madinda replaces Nolito.
Nervous moment inside the Celta box as Alvarez fails to come for a loose ball inside the box, but eventually the stopper does claim under pressure from Neymar. We are entering stoppage time shortly...
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes.
It is really poor from Pedro as the Spaniard attempts to find Neymar, but instead fires one straight out of play. Celta are little over two minutes away from a seriously incredible result.
BOOKING! Pedro goes into the book for the home side after bringing Madinda to the ground. That could be just about that for the home side...
FULL-TIME: Barcelona 0-1 Celta
Oh my word. Incredible from Celta Vigo as the away side win 1-0 at the Camp Nou. What a performance from the visitors! Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
