Late Lionel Messi penalty saves Barcelona's blushes against Leganes

Lionel Messi converted a late penalty kick to rescue Barcelona and snatch a 2-1 win over Leganes his side barely deserved.

The Argentine opened the scoring after just four minutes, hinting at a comfortable evening for the Catalan club. But relegation-threatened Leganes rallied and improved as the match progressed, with Marc-Andre Ter Stegen making a number of saves to keep his side ahead.

But the German goalkeeper was beaten after 71 minutes when Unai Lopez squeezed a finish home after Sergi Roberto conceded possession at the byline. It was a goal Leganes had more than earned.

The visitors looked somewhat comfortable until the 90th minute, when Neymar was brought down inside the area by Martin Mantovani. Messi stepped up to the 12-yard mark to smash home a finish and spare Barcelona’s blushes, even if Luis Enrique is still certain to come under more pressure.

Defeat to PSG was much, much more than a one-off. If Barcelona were looking to record a riposte after the watershed defeat to Paris Saint-German in the Champions League during the week, they certainly didn’t get it here. This performance underlined that there are real problems at the Camp Nou, with those issues manifesting itself in the way this match against Leganes unfolded. These are no flukes. Enrique and Barca are suffering something of a crisis.

Marc-Andre Ter Stegen (Barcelona) The German goalkeeper probably wasn’t expecting an especially busy evening against one of the worst teams in La Liga, but ultimately he was to thank for Barcelona collecting three points. Ter Stegen made a number of key saves at crucial times to deny Leganes, with one stop in particular from Nabil El Zhar especially impressive. Without him, Barca would have been convincingly beaten.

Barcelona - Ter Stegen 9, Roberto 5, Umtiti 4, Mathieu 5, Digne 5, Gomes 5, Rakitic 5, Rafinha 6, Messi 7, Suarez 5, Neymar 6. Subs - Iniesta 5, Alba 5, Denis 5.

Leganes - Herrerin 7, Tito 5, Matonvani 4, Siovas 5, Rico 6, Moran 6, Alberto 6, Gabriel 6, El Zhar 8, Guerrero 7, Szymanowski 7. Subs - Insua 5, Lopez 7, Machis 5.

4’ GOAL! Barcelona 1-0 Leganes: Well, that's how you start a match when you are under pressure. Suarez plays a wonderful outside of the boot pass into Messi who has the simple task of finishing from close range.

24’ DOUBLE SAVE! Out of nowhere El Zhar burst in behind the Barcelona backline, with the Leganes striker drawing an excellent double save from Ter Stegen. That could have been an equaliser!

45’ BIG TER STEGEN SAVE! El Zhar takes the shot on the volley from the edge of the box. It takes a deflection off Umtiti, but Ter Stegen changes direction to make the stunning stop.

56’ TER STEGEN MAKES ANOTHER SAVE! He has come to Barcelona's rescue so many times tonight, and this time he is required to make a near post stop from Guerrero's strike.

71’ GOAL! Barcelona 1-1 Leganes: Disaster for Barcelona! Roberto concedes the ball at the byline, with Guerrero passing the ball back to Lopez, who finds the back of the net with a less than convincing low strike.

90’ GOAL! Barcelona 2-1 Leganes: Messi smashes home the spot kick and that could prove to be a massive goal in the context of Barcelona's season! They don't really deserve this, but that keeps them in the Liga title race.

93’ SO CLOSE TO 2-2! Wow, the Camp Nou held its breathe there. El Zhar collected a ball on the edge of the box and fired a shot towards goal. It beat Ter Stegen, but flashed past the post

Lionel Messi has scored 16 goals in his last 17 games for Barcelona in La Liga.

Neymar has won more penalties (five) than any other player this season in any of Europe’s big five leagues.

Andres Iniesta became the second player to reach 400 appearances for Barcelona in La Liga, after Xavi Hernandez.