Valencia and Barcelona met at the Mestalla on Sunday in the standout game of week 13 in La Liga.
The home side had the better of the first period, but neither team could make the breakthrough in the opening half.
The chances continued to arrive in the second 45 minutes and it was Barca that found a winner in the fourth minute of stoppage time when Sergio Busquets converted from close range.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Mestalla as Valencia welcome Barcelona. Right, before we get down to the details ahead of kickoff, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Valencia.
TEAMS
VALENCIA: Alves; Barragan, Mustafi, Otamendi, Gaya; Fuego, Parejo, Gomes; Feghouli, Negredo, Rodrigo
BARCA: Bravo; Alves, Mathieu, Pique, Alba; Busquets, Xavi, Mascherano; Neymar, Messi, Suarez
So there we have it. No real surprises in the Valencia XI this evening, with the hosts again lining up in a 4-3-3 formation. On-loan Manchester City forward Alvaro Negredo will lead the line, while Andre Gomes, Dani Parejo and Javi Fuego make up an exciting midfield. Rodrigo also continues in the XI.
Barcelona, meanwhile, make just one change to their XI, with Javier Mascherano returning in place of Ivan Rakitic. Gerard Pique keeps his place at the heart of the defence, while as expected, Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez continue in attack. Plenty of attacking talent on display this evening.
Incredibly, Valencia are without a win in seven league meetings with Barcelona at the Mestalla, while Barca have won more away games against Valencia then they have against any other opponent (31). Last season, however, Valencia were 3-2 winners in their La Liga meeting at the Camp Nou in February.
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A total of 24 points from 12 matches has left Valencia fifth in the table, with their home form a major contributor this season. In fact, only Atletico have a better home record this term, with Valencia winning five of their six matches at the Mestalla, scoring 15 times in the process and conceding just three.
On the road, however, Nuno's side have won just two from six. Last weekend, they were beaten 2-1 by struggling Levante and they also lost 3-0 to Deportivo on their travels last month. If they are to secure a top-four finish this season then their away form will certainly need to improve.
Barcelona, meanwhile, enter the match off the back of a 4-0 win over APOEL in the Champions League. Messi broke the La Liga scoring record in the 5-1 win over Sevilla last weekend, before smashing the European goals record on Tuesday. Can the Argentine extend the league record this evening?
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As it stands, Barcelona are third in the table, five points behind the leaders Real Madrid and one behind second-place Atletico Madrid. They lost back-to-back league games against Real Madrid and Celta Vigo earlier in the campaign, but have responded with four straight wins in all competitions.
PREDICTION! I am expecting a classic this evening so let's hope that we are not disappointed! This is a really difficult match for Barcelona, but I think they will just have enough about them to emerge 2-1 winners. It has all the makings of a brilliant La Liga affair.
Here we go then. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. It must be said that there is a sensational atmosphere inside the stadium. Can Valencia inflict a third league defeat of the season on Barcelona? It is the home side that get the first period underway.
As expected, the opening couple of minutes have been fast-paced, with both sides attempting to gain an early foot-hold in the match. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital. Barca will dominate the ball, with the home side playing on the counter attack.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the opening four minutes, but both sides have been prepared to commit players in the final third. Parejo attempts to deliver a cross towards Negredo, but Mathieu steps out to clear the danger. Moments later, Barcelona break down the other end with Messi.
The referee has been prepared to let the play flow in the early moments, which is helping the pace of the match. Suarez attempts to clip a pass towards Messi, but Alves is out to clear the danger. Feghouli threatened down the other end, but the midfielder was just crowded out.
Messi continues to force the issue as the Argentine slides a pass towards Suarez, but Mustafi is on hand to make the clearance. Barca are in control of the possession, as expected, but Valencia have been unable to threaten on the counter thus far despite their quality in the final third of the field.
BOOKING! Mathieu is booked for a rash challenge on Negredo.
The resulting free kick is delivered by Parejo, but it moves straight behind for a goal kick. Poor from the home side, who have been dangerous from set pieces thus far this season.
It appears that Barcelona are almost playing a back five this evening, with Mascherano sitting alongside Pique and Alba, with Alves and Alba in the wing-back positions. Valencia are getting joy in wide positions, however, with Rodrigo striking from outside the box, but Bravo is down to make the save.
Action at both ends inside the opening 13 minutes, but neither side has really had a clear attempt on goal. It hasn't quite happened for Messi, Neymar and Suarez in the Barcelona attack thus far.
CHANCE! Stunning chance for Barcelona as Suarez meets an inviting ball from Neymar inside the Valencia box, but somehow Alves tips the effort wide of the post. Not the best finish from Suarez, but Alves must be credited for his positioning. It really should be 1-0 Barca.
Half-chance for Valencia this time, but Negredo's effort is straight into the arms of Bravo.
Neither side is really in control at the moment, but Valencia are getting joy in wide positions. The home team have a free kick just outside the box when Alves brings Feghouli to the ground...
... Parejo again takes the resulting set piece, but again it is poor as the midfielder fires high and wide. Los Che have had two strong free kick positions thus far, but both have been poor.
HANDBAGS! It has all kicked off here following an altercation between Neymar and Otamendi. The Brazilian appeared to stick his head into the face of the Valencia defender.
BOOKINGS! Pique and Barragan have both been booked following that altercation. Otamendi brought Neymar to the ground with a fair challenge inside the box, Neymar appeared to place his head into the face of the defender, but the contact was minimal.
Things are hotting up at the Mestalla following that clash between both sets of players. I suspect that we have not seen the last of that between Neymar and Otamendi. Part two could soon arrive!
Valencia are arguably the better side at the moment, with Feghouli threatening in wide positions. There are no takers on the midfielder's latest cross, however, with Alves on hand to clear the danger. Little over 20 minutes of the first period remaining and the score is still goalless at the Mestalla.
Barcelona threaten following a period of pressure outside the box, but Alba's volley is straight into the face of Feghouli, who has been everywhere thus far. The away side have just stepped up the pace in the last couple of minutes, with Messi seeing more of the ball in the final third of the field.
BOOKING! Mustafi is booked for a poor challenge on Neymar.
The resulting free kick is delivered by Xavi, but his cross floats straight out for a goal kick.
BOOKING! Alba is now booked for a late lunge on Feghouli.
Half-chance for the home side as Parejo meets a corner from Gomes, but his header is just over the crossbar. It has been a slightly untidy match in the last few minutes, with the referee forced to intervene following a number of late challenges. Still goalless with 31 minutes on the clock in Valencia.
Alves is lucky to escape a booking following a late challenge on Fuego. Three of Barcelona's back four are on bookings at the moment - it was almost all four! Will we see a red card this evening?
Really good chance for Barcelona as Xavi finds space outside the box before sliding a pass into Alves, but the Brazilian takes one touch too many and the danger is cleared. Suarez tests the palms of the Valencia goalkeeper moments later, but the Barcelona striker had been ruled offside.
CLOSE! Gomes shows excellent feet outside the box before curling an effort towards the bottom corner, but it just moves wide of the Barcelona post. Good work from the midfielder.
Little over five minutes of the first period remaining and it remains goalless at the Mestalla. It has been a first half full of incidents, however, with both sides coming close to opening the scoring. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital in this type of match.
Possession football from Barcelona in the latter stages of the half, but they are finding it difficult to break through this stern Valencia defence, with Neymar in particular struggling to force the issue.
The referee has let a few challenges go in the last couple of minutes, which has not pleased the home supporters. Barcelona attempt to force the issue as Neymar slides a pass towards Suarez, but Alves is out to claim at the vital moment. Will the deadlock be broken before the interval?
It is all a little bit too delicate from Barcelona as Xavi attempts to slide a pass into Messi, when a shot might have been the better option. I suspect that there will be a couple of minutes of injury time.
Surprisingly just the one added minute at the end of this half.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side to take the lead as Rodrigo drives to the edge of the Barca box before finding Gomes, but the midfielder hits the side netting.
HALF-TIME: Valencia 0-0 Barcelona
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two sides level at 0-0. It has been a first half full of incidents, however, with both teams creating good opportunities and the referee forced to intervene following a number of feisty altercations. More of the same in the second half please!
STATS! Barcelona have dominated the ball with 72%, but they have had just one attempt on target thus far. Valencia, however, have had six attempts - two of which have been on target. It has also been a lively half in terms of challenges, with the referee issuing no fewer than five bookings.
BENCH WATCH! The home side have fit-again Paco Alcacer on their bench this evening, while Piatti and De Paul are also both available. Barcelona, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Munir, Pedro, Rafinha and Rakitic. Both managers have attacking quality on the sidelines tonight.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Can either team claim all three points from the Mestalla? The away side get the second 45 minutes of action underway.
No changes from either manager at the interval, which is not much of a surprise at this stage of proceedings. However, I suspect that alterations will occur if the score remains level for the next 20 minutes or so. There is no question that Valencia have been the more inventive side thus far.
Possession football from the away side in the early stages of the second period, but Valencia remain tight and compact in defensive areas. This new-look Valencia are a different animal this season.
Half-chance for the home side as Rodrigo delivers a cross onto the head of Negredo, but Mathieu just does enough to clear for a corner. The resulting set piece is delivered towards the far post, but the danger is cleared. Barcelona do not look comfortable when the ball is in the air this evening.
Another half-chance for the home side as Negredo meets a loose ball inside the box, but Mascherano just does enough to clear the danger. Not too much from Barcelona at the moment, with all the pressure coming from Valencia. However, the score still remains goalless at the Mestalla.
Finally a positive moment for Barcelona as Xavi finds Alves inside the Valencia box, but the right-back had moved into an offside position before setting up Messi, who has struggled thus far tonight.
Half-chance for Valencia as Rodrigo finds the head of Negredo inside the box, but his header was always moving wide of the post. Little over 30 minutes of normal time remaining and Los Che are in total command here. Barcelona have struggled, but they have so much quality in the final third.
Suarez has a half-chance after meeting a corner from the right, but his header just moved wide of the post. Chances at either end, but still the score remains goalless. Surely there are goals in this match.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Barcelona as Suarez beats Alves to the ball before turning and firing towards goal, but his effort was wide of the post. What a chance!
Otamendi seems to have a problem after turning his ankle following that chance for Suarez and it seems unlikely that the Argentine will be fit to continue. For now, Valencia play on with 10 men.
OFF THE LINE! Rodrigo comes close to sending Valencia ahead, but his low effort is cleared off the line by Pique. Meanwhile, Otamendi has returned to the field here.
Barcelona have just stepped up the pace in the last couple of minutes, with Suarez more involved in the final third. The attacker finds some space inside the box before setting up Xavi, but his effort is wide of the post. Still no movement on either bench, but we are approaching that stage of the match.
Valencia force the issue with a couple of corners in quick succession, but the referee brings play to a standstill following an altercation inside the box. Barcelona area down the other end with Neymar, but the Brazilian cannot find the feet of Messi, who has been far from his best this evening.
Stinging effort from Neymar after the Barcelona attacker found space outside the box, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Little over 20 minutes of football remaining at the Mestalla.
SUB! Barca make their first change as Ivan Rakitic replaces Mathieu.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Suarez turns home from close range following a low cross from Alves, but the striker is ruled offside. Replays have shown that Suarez was level, wow!
BOOKING! Rodrigo is booked for a late challenge on Busquets.
CHANCE! Stunning chance for the home side as Feghouli finds all sorts of space inside the Barcelona box, but his low effort is straight at Bravo. What a chance for Los Che!
SUB! Valencia make their first change as Rodrigo de Paul replaces Rodrigo.
Little over 15 minutes of this contest remaining and somehow the score is still goalless. Both sides have had chances in the second period, but both goalkeepers have made some very bright saves.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of minutes, with the referee forced to intervene following a number of late challenges. Still we wait for the first goal of the evening.
Both sides are preparing changes at the moment, with Rafinha and Pedro receiving their instructions for Barcelona and Parejo signalling to the Valencia bench that he cannot continue.
SAVE! Another sensational save from Bravo as the Barcelona goalkeeper denies Negredo, who had released a powerful attempt after meeting a cross from Gaya. What a chance!
SUBS! Barcelona make a double change as Rafinha and Pedro replace Xavi and Suarez, who had a goal disallowed despite being in an offside position when he fired home.
Neymar trips over his own feet, but Barcelona are awarded a free kick just outside the box...
... the set piece is taken by Messi, but his effort is headed behind for a corner.
Barcelona continue to threaten from the resulting corner, but Valencia manage to clear at the vital moment. The home side are preparing to make their second change, with Negredo leaving the field.
SUB! Alcacer enters in place of Negredo for Valencia.
SUB! Third change for Valencia as Parejo is replaced by Augusto.
Little under five minutes of football remaining and still we wait for the first goal of the match. Valencia have just retreated in the last couple of minutes, showing signs that they will settle for a point here. Barcelona have other ideas, however, as the Catalan outfit continue to force the issue in the final third.
Messi again loses possession outside the box as another Barcelona attack comes to a close. Time is running out, but you just get the feeling that there is one more big chance in this La Liga affair.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes here.
Rakitic attempts to slide a pass into Messi, who was waiting on the edge of the box, but once again Otamendi is on hand to clear the danger. Messi has a half-chance moments later, but Otamendi is again across to make the challenge. The centre-back has been truly excellent this evening.
Barcelona continue to threaten in the final seconds, but Barragan is across to clear a dangerous cross from Alba. Valencia clear from the resulting corner and that should be just about that.
GOAL! Valencia 0-1 Barcelona (Busquets)
Oh my word, just wow. Barcelona have surely won it in the final minute as Busquets fires home from close range following pressure inside the box. Alves made a stunning save to deny Neymar, but Busquets was on hand to score his first Barcelona goal in 14 months. It is so, so cruel.
FULL-TIME: Valencia 0-1 Barcelona
Just incredible. Barcelona claim all three points in the fourth minute of stoppage time. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to stick around for the analysis and player ratings from an incredible night at the Mestalla. Until next time!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
