Granada welcomed Barcelona on Saturday looking to build on a solid run of form on their own patch, which had included a recent win over Real Madrid.
The home side were ahead after 26 minutes when Odion Ighalo converted from close range, with that score still standing at the interval.
Barcelona were level moments into the second period, however, when Lionel Messi pounced on a loose ball to fire his 300th league goal for the club.
The away side continued to push in the latter stages, with the winner eventually coming from Messi 17 minutes from time.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our second La Liga live commentary of the day comes from Los Carmenes as Granada welcome table-toppers Barcelona. On paper, Barcelona will be considered as huge favourites, but the home side have impressed in recent weeks, beating Real Madrid 1-0 in their last match at this stadium.
Granada currently sit in 14th position in the table, six points ahead of the relegation zone with 15 matches to play. They will have to improve on their home form if they are to push up the table, however, having won just three of their 11 matches on their own patch. That record will be further placed under scrutiny this evening.
Barcelona, meanwhile, thumped Getafe last time out to move 12 points clear at the top of the table. Bar one of the most sensational collapses of all time, they will claim the La Liga tile this season. Perhaps unsurprisingly, they have the best away record in the division this season, having won 10 of their 12 matches on the road.
TEAMS:
GRANADA: Tono; Siqueira, Nyom, Mainz, Lopez; Nolito, Rico, Recio, Torje; Ighalo, Aranda
BARCELONA: Valdes; Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Adriano; Fabregas, Busquets, Thiago; Messi, Sanchez, Pedro
Here we go then. Just a word on the main team news, the home side continue with Ighalo and Aranda in attack, while Recio also starts in midfield. Barcelona hand chances to Thiago and Adriano, but Messi and Pedro both keep their places in the final third. Can Granada upset the form book this evening? The away side get the action underway.
Well, Barcelona have made five changes from the team that beat Getafe last weekend, but it is difficult to see how they have been made weaker. Granada have won both of their matches since Lucas Alcarez took charge, however, and therefore enter this match full of confidence. Barcelona have taken control of possession, as expected, in the early stages.
It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium this evening, with the home supporters hoping that they can pull off another famous result against Barcelona. Not too much to report in terms of attacking threat thus far, but the away side have utterly dominated the ball inside the opening four minutes of proceedings.
It's good work from the home side as Nyom combines with Recio before driving a low cross into the box, but Pique is across to clear the danger. A half-chance emerges down the other end moments later as Messi finds Sanchez, but the Chilean just cannot sort out his feet and Tono is out to collect. Poor touch from Sanchez.
Again Barcelona pass and probe outside the penalty area as Fabregas combines with Messi, the latter finds the run of Sanchez once more, but Nyom is across to clear. The end-to-end period in the match continues as Ighalo drives into the Barcelona box, but Adriano is across to clear for a corner. They just love the powerful Nigerian here.
CHANCE! First real chance of the match comes to the home side as Nolito pulls away at the far post before striking an effort on goal, but Valdes is on hand to make the save. The Spaniard also made a meal of it with Torje on hand to pounce, but the goalkeeper does indeed collect. Lively opening from both teams.
Granada continue to enjoy decent possession of the ball with Recio and Nolito more than prepared to join their forward players. Another shooting opportunity arrives as Torje strikes an effort from outside the box, but Valdes was always comfortable in collecting the danger. Granada will be delighted with the opening 12 minutes of this match.
Good grief Nyom has some serious pace. The Granada defender has just made up 10 yards on Pique, but luckily for the Spaniard, Valdes was out to clear. What an incredible athlete the Cameroonian is. Barcelona attempt to craft down the other end with Fabregas, but thus far the home side's defence has stood up to the threat. You might even say that Granada are on top.
Barcelona have just upped the tempo in the last couple of minutes with Fabregas breaking free from the defence, but luckily for the home side the linesman raises his flag. There is something about this stadium that just makes it difficult for away teams. Not a full house this evening, but not far from it.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the past few minutes with neither side taking too much care in possession of the ball. It has the feel of a match that could be won by the odd goal, but Barcelona do not do one goal, they rarely do two. Another half-chance comes to Sanchez, but he can only fire straight at Tono once more.
CHANCE! Just about the closest Barcelona have come to opening the scoring as Fabregas cushions a header towards Messi, but the Argentine just cannot make contact and it moves out for a goal kick. He is human after all! It does appear that the opening goal could soon be on its way.
Another half-chance comes to the away side as Sanchez collects possession outside the box before striking an effort towards the top corner, but it was always moving wide of the target. Most of Barcelona's good work is coming down their left, with Pedro cutting an isolated figure thus far.
The pressure continues as Thiago meets a cross from Messi, but once more he can only plant his header over the crossbar. I have never seen Barcelona put so many crosses into the penalty area, and they have almost had some joy. Granada's attacking threat has just disappeared in the past few minutes with Barcelona dominating possession.
The away side want a penalty as Fabregas is felled in the penalty area by Torje, but the referee points for a goal kick. It was more clumsy then anything, but I have certainly seen them given. Slight sense of frustration for Barcelona that they have not yet opened the scoring. Meanwhile, the home supporters continue to create a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium.
The pressure continues from the away side as Fabregas feeds a low pass behind the Granada defence, but Pedro just cannot collect with Tono out to clear the danger. You sense that the home side's best chance of winning this match is if they can utilise the pace of Ighalo, but Barcelona have closed that threat. Another half-chance comes to Sanchez down the other end, but once more he cannot find a finish.
GOAL! Granada 1-0 Barcelona (Ighalo)
Granada lead! Stunning from the home side as they break with pace and power. It's good work from Rico as the midfielder fires a low cross towards Aranda, the Spaniard in turn finds Ighalo, who cannot miss from close range. First blood to Granada!
Did anyone see that coming? I did say that Ighalo looked the man most likely for the home side. His pace has caused all sorts of problems thus far. This stadium is absolutely bouncing at the moment. However, Lucas Alcarez calls for calm on the touchline. His side have to remain focused from now until the interval.
Barcelona continue to dominate possession as they pass and probe in the Granada half, but they have thus far been unable to break this defence. Adriano comes close to his seventh of the season as the Brazilian strikes an effort from a wide position, but it just moved past the post. Granada live to fight another day.
Granada appear more than happy to allow Barcelona possession in their own half, but they are closing the gaps each time Messi collects the ball. It has been the perfect plan thus far, but can they keep up that level of performance throughout the match? This is a real test for Barcelona make no mistake about that.
Granada once more exploit the wings as Aranda drives down the left before whipping a dangerous cross into the box, but it just moves high of the crossbar. You just get the feeling that the home side have to keep things tight until the interval. The last thing they need is for Barcelona to level in the next 10 minutes.
Controversy in this match as Siqueira pulls down Pedro outside the penalty area, but the referee only awards a yellow card when perhaps the defender should have seen red. The Barcelona players are not happy. Messi takes the resulting free kick, but he fires his effort straight into the arms of Tono, much to the delight of the home crowd.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Barcelona to level the scores five minutes before the break as Messi advances into the penalty area, but Tono comes out to make a fine save. Meanwhile, the Catalan outfit are forced into a change as Jordi Alba replaces Adriano, who had appeared to have picked up a knock.
End-to-end period of the match at the moment as Messi comes close for Barcelona with a rasping strike, but it just moves past the post. Granada force two corners in quick succession down the other end, but the first is headed clear by Pique before Valdes comes a long way to clear the second. Little under five minutes of the half remaining.
Barcelona continue to create chances as Messi weaves past two defenders before driving a low cross into the box, but once more Mainz is on hand to make a wonderful clearance. A similar situation occurs moments later with Alves turning provider, but Tono is on hand to clear. Stunning defending.
Barcelona again come close to scoring as Thiago collects a pass from Sanchez before finding Fabregas in the box, but the linesman raises his flag. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute of added time, as Thiago presents the ball straight to Aranda, but the striker can only find the palms of Valdes.
HALF-TIME: Granada 1-0 Barcelona
Well, Granada certainly do not look like a team in the bottom half of the table. Ighalo has scored the only goal of the half to leave the home side ahead at the interval. As it stands, they are heading for their third straight win in the league. But you get the feeling that Barcelona will respond.
Let's take a look at some statistics from the opening half of football. Barcelona have had an incredible 79% of the ball, managing seven attempts to Granada's two, but they trail at the interval. Make no mistake about it, this is a real test for the La Liga leaders. Can they pass it?
Let's take a look at both benches for this match. Granada have a host of options on the sidelines with the likes of El-Arabi and Buonanotte, while Barcelona have Iniesta, Song and Tello in reserve. There is no place for Villa, however, who is still suffering with kidney stones. We wish him well.
As it stands, Granada would move into 13th position in the table. Barcelona would of course remain on top, 12 points clear of Atletico Madrid. However, you do get the feeling that we have not seen the last of the goals this evening. Be sure to remain with us for the second period.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. No changes for either side at the interval which is perhaps not too surprising at this stage of events. A reminder that we have one more La Liga fixture this evening with Osasuna taking on Real Zaragoza. A real relegation scrap. The home side get the half underway.
Barcelona have scored in their last 41 matches in the league, a run that stretches back some 13 months. It is extremely difficult to see them not scoring in the second period. Iniesta would certainly be the obvious player to enter the field. As expected, the Catalan outfit have taken control of the ball in the early stages of the half.
The away side continue to pass and probe outside the penalty area as Fabregas finds Messi, but once more Mainz is on hand to make a fine challenge. Granada attempt to break down the other end with Ighalo, but the pacey Nigerian is cut down in his prime by Fabregas. Nolito takes the free kick, but his clipped effort is headed clear by Pique.
GOAL! Granada 1-1 Barcelona (Messi)
So there we have it. Messi scores goal number 300 for Barcelona as he pounces on a loose ball inside the penalty area before thumping his effort into the back of the net. He has now scored in 14 league matches in a row. How many more records?!
Granada have worked very hard thus far, but they simply must raise their game in the second period. Barcelona have their early goal and you expect that Tono will be called into action as the half advances. Desperate defending at the moment as the away side continue to slip balls into the penalty area.
Barcelona have the ball in the back of the net once more as Fabregas collects a pass from Messi before firing his effort into the back of the net, but the linesman raises his flag. However, replays have indicated that the Spaniard was indeed level with the final defender. That is just the type of luck that Granada need.
It is simply all one-way traffic at the moment as the Catalan outfit continue to pass and probe outside the Granada penalty area. However, Barcelona are just looking for one pass too many at the moment, with the home side's defence able to clear. Little over 30 minutes of football to play and the score remains 1-1. But you sense that more goals are on the agenda.
Granada just cannot keep hold of possession at the moment as they continue to drop deeper and deeper under the threat. Only a series of last-ditch challenges are preventing Barcelona from taking the lead. Alves is again involved as he drives a low cross into the box, but the sensational Mainz clears once more.
Meanwhile, the home side make their first change of the match as Aranda, who has been impressive this evening, is replaced by El-Arabi. The Moroccan has not really hit the heights that were expected when he joined last summer, but this evening would be the perfect way to replay the faith. It is so delicately poised with 30 minutes remaining.
Another half-chance comes to the home side on the counter as Sanchez drives into the box, but Tono comes out to make a brave save at the vital moment. A square pass towards Pedro and Barcelona would have taken the lead. Meanwhile, Barcelona make their second change as Tello replaces Sanchez.
Much better from the home side in the last few moments as they continue to force Barcelona into their own penalty area. There is always the danger that they will be caught on the counter, but they are going for the win here. Little over 25 minutes of football remaining and the score stays 1-1. Wonderful excitement.
Thiago goes for the spectacular as he strikes a volley from all of 35 yards, but it was always moving high of the crossbar. The look from Messi was not too kind! Granada attempt to break down the other end with El-Arabi, but the striker cannot collect with Pique on hand to make the challenge. End-to-end football at the moment.
POST! Another half-chance comes to the away side as Pedro drives a low cross into the box towards Messi, but Mainz clears. It comes back to Pedro, who strikes a powerful effort towards the bottom corner, but it thumps off the post. Granada really are hanging on at the moment.
Barcelona have the ball in the back of the net once more as Pedro finds the bottom corner from close range, but once more the linesman's flag saves the home side. Meanwhile, Tono takes a couple of moments as he receives treatment in the penalty area. Not too sure how injured he is there. Maybe it's a case of slowing the game down.
Granada continue to struggle to get out of their own half as Barcelona force the issue. You just get the feeling that there is going to be a sting in the tail for the home side. They really need to get Ighalo involved in the final 20 minutes of this match. Well, they need the ball first.
GOAL! Granada 1-2 Barcelona (Messi)
GOAL! Granada 1-2 Barcelona (Messi)
Stunning just stunning. Messi steps over a free kick outside the penalty area before thumping his effort into the back of the net. How on earth has he scored from there? It had been coming. It is so harsh on the home side. Meanwhile, the away side make their second change of the match as Pedro is replaced by Iniesta. Not a bad change to make.
Stunning just stunning. Messi steps over a free kick outside the penalty area before thumping his effort into the back of the net. How on earth has he scored from there? It had been coming. It is so harsh on the home side. Meanwhile, the away side make their second change of the match as Pedro is replaced by Iniesta. Not a bad change to make.
It had been coming. Make no mistake about that. Granada simply had to hold in the early stages of the second period, but the equaliser came at the worst possible time. You can only see one winner from this match as Barcelona continue to pick up free kicks in the Granada half.
It had been coming. Make no mistake about that. Granada simply had to hold in the early stages of the second period, but the equaliser came at the worst possible time. You can only see one winner from this match as Barcelona continue to pick up free kicks in the Granada half.
The home side make two changes as Torje and Nolito are replaced by Brahimi and Buonanotte. It is a surprise that the latter did not start this evening. Well, it is a surprise that Sevilla let the Argentine leave. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining and Barcelona lead 2-1.
Meanwhile, the home side make two changes as Nolito and Siqueira are replaced by Buonanotte and Brahimi. It is a surprise that the former did not start this evening. Well, it is also a surprise that he was allowed to leave Sevilla. Right, little over 10 minutes of football remaining and Barcelona lead 2-1.
A half-chance does arrive for the home side as Buonanotte collects possession outside the box before thumping an effort towards the top corner, but it was always moving wide of the post. Another opportunity arrives moments later from a searching cross, but Valdes comes out to clear.
Not too much to report in the last few minutes of this match with Barcelona completely in control of the possession. You would like to think that Granada could force a late fight-back, but they just have nothing in their legs. Messi again comes close to his third down the other end, but Tono is on hand to make a fine save.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the away side to put this game to bed as Tello collects possession in the box before thumping an effort towards the top corner, but it just moves high of the crossbar. That was the moment to put this result beyond doubt.
In fairness to Granada, they have started to gamble in the past few minutes as they continue to commit players to each attack. A half-chance arrives for Riko to put the ball into the penalty area as Thiago fells Nyom outside the box, but the resulting set piece is poor.
A half-chance comes to the home side late on as Lopez meets a cross from Nyom in the box, but the midfielder can only fire his header straight at Valdes. What an opportunity to level the score in the final minute. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates an additional four minutes and we are into the first of those.
The pressure continues from the home side in the latter stages as they launch a series of high balls into the penalty area, but Barcelona are able to clear the danger on each occasion. They have played well this evening, but they will end the night with nothing. Well, unless they can fashion something in the final 30 seconds.
FULL-TIME: Granada 1-2 Barcelona
So there we have it. Messi scores twice as Barcelona record a 2-1 win over Granada. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and remain with us for Osasuna against Zaragoza. Until then!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
