Valencia produce comeback to defeat Barcelona

Valencia have produced a second-half comeback to consign 10-man Barcelona to a 3-2 defeat at Camp Nou in La Liga.

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The hosts took the lead after only seven minutes when Lionel Messi produced an inviting cross into the box, allowing Alexis Sanchez to produce a wonderful chip to lob the goalkeeper and put his side 1-0 ahead.

Barca could have been 2-0 ahead inside the first 10 minutes as Cesc Fabregas played a through-ball into Messi, but the Valencia defence did well to get across at the vital moment and see out the danger.

Sanchez should have doubled Barcelona's lead on 20 minutes, but Valencia goalkeeper Diego Alves pulled off a good save to keep out the Chilean's header from Pedro's cross.

Los Che pulled level with what was their only major chance of the half when Daniel Parejo tapped home from close range.

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The visitors turned the game on its head after the break when Pablo Piatti rose inside the box to lift his header over Victor Valdes from close range.

Barcelona were back level within a few minutes, though, as Messi converted from the spot to make it 2-2 after Ricardo Costa was adjudged to have used his hands inside the box.

Valencia restored their lead in the 59th minute when Paco Alcacer got on the end of a cross into the box and whipped a finish into the top corner of the goal.

The hosts' misery was compounded 12 minutes from time when Jordi Alba was dismissed for a second bookable offence.