Granada 2-2 Barcelona - Xavi's side rescue point with dramatic late equaliser in La Liga encounter
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Updated 08/10/2023 at 22:29 GMT
It looked like being a fairly disastrous evening for Barcelona as they slipped behind to Granada in their La Liga encounter on Sunday evening. However, with five minutes remaining, Sergi Roberto grabbed a second for Xavi's side to equalise in dramatic fashion and rescue a point when it could almost have been a defeat at the Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes.
Lamine Yamal right winger of Barcelona and Spain celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Granada CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes
Image credit: Getty Images
Lamine Yamal became the youngest La Liga goalscorer ever on Sunday as Barcelona drew 2-2 at Granada, who took the lead after just 17 seconds.
Xavi's side needed an equaliser five minutes from time, turning home Alejandro Balde's cross from close range to complete a two-goal comeback.
The shocking opener came when Gavi gave the ball away in midfield and Lucas Boye set free Bryan Zaragoza, whose effort Marc-Andre ter Stegen will feel he should have stopped after getting both hands to the ball.
Bryan then doubled the lead, out-pacing Jules Kounde before turning back and stroking the ball home.
The Azulgrana's 16-year-old winger Yamal shot home from close range, turning home Joao Felix's errant effort at goal to set a new record for the youngest goalscorer in the Spanish top-flight, before Sergi Roberto completed the comeback.
In injury time, Joao Felix had the ball in the net from Joao Cancelo's cross, but Ferran Torres was ruled offside and interfering with the play.
The point sees Barcelona stay third three points behind leaders Real Madrid.
Talking Point - Barca need to shape up and fast
The way Real Madrid are running roughshod over nearly all opposition, Barcelona need to stop making life hard for themselves if they are still to be in the title hunt by Christmas. They were two goals behind against Celta Vigo and recovered to win.
They were 3-1 down to Villarreal before recovering to win and, like today, they came from behind to secure a 2-2 draw at Mallorca. On this occasion, Xavi will only need to show 17 seconds of video to emphasise a message to players.
From the opening kick-off, they were collectively asleep gifting possession to the opposition, allowing a player to get behind them easily and then allow a fairly tame shot into the net. It is quite possible with Raphinia and/or Robert Lewandowski they would have won this match and they will argue a debatable decision cost them tonight also but going behind so often, and especially away from home, is not a sustainable tendency for winning titles.
Player of the match - Bryan Zaragoza (Granada)
This is a day which will be a milestone for the youngest ever goalscorer, but it may unofficially be the day Bryan set himself up for a move to one of the big clubs in La Liga or beyond.
It was impossible not to be impressed by the young forward with his electric pace, sublime touch and what appears natural confidence, he would fill a role in either a front three or as one of three forwards behind a striker.
His second goal was a finish of world class composure and he was inches away from scoring the winner with two minutes remaining.
Player ratings
Granada: Andre Ferreira 7; Ricard 6, Rubio 6, Ignasi Miquel 6, Neva 5; Villar 6, Gumbau 7, Carreras 6; Bryan Zaragoza 9*, Uzuni 6; Lucas Boye 8.
Subs: Puertas 5, Torrente 6, Vallejo 5, Callejon 6, Petrovic 6.
Barcelona: Ter Stegen 5; Cancelo 6, Kounde 5, Christensen 6, Balde 7; Fermin Lopez 6, Gundogan 6, Gavi 6; Lamine Yamal 6, Ferran Torres 6, Joao Felix 7.
Subs: Araujo 7, Romeu 6, Sergi Roberto 7.
Match highlights
1' GOAL FOR GRANADA! Unbelievable. Inside 20 seconds, Granada are in front. Barcelona lost the ball in midfield and Bryan was put through in the right hand side of the penalty area and his ter Stegan allowed his shot to roll over his hands and into the net.
29' GOAL FOR GRANADA! And a magnificent one. And it is Bryan again! It was a ball down the channel which Bryan beat Kounde to and then stopped before, with the defender and keeper expecting the ball to be shot into one corner, stroking a finish into the top corner of the near post.
45+1' GOAL FOR BARCELONA! Yamal scores his first goal for Barcelona. He is the youngest goalscorer in la Liga. Gavi plays in Joao Felix whose effort was deflected wide to the 16-year-old who gleefully tapped home.
85' GOAL FOR BARCELONA! A very weird goal. Two players went to check Joao Felix and both fell on the floor afterwards, then Kounde put a low cross into the centre which Sergi Roberto turned home.
88' OFF THE POST! Just like the first goal, Barcelona lost the ball in midfield and Callejon took the ball to the edge of the penalty area before sliding the ball wide to Bryan who shot against the nearly post, after which the ball agonisingly drifted across the six-yard box.
90' BALL IN THE NET! Joao Felix turns Joao Cancelo's cross into the net, but Ferran Torres was ruled offside. They will check this now.Was he interfering.
90+2' THE RULING STANDS! Ferran Torres went to challenge for the ball with the Granada goalkeeper and though the ball beat both of them quite clearly before Joao Felix scored, it is understandly decided to give him offside.
Key stat
16 - The number of years, along with 87 days, it took Lamine Yamal to score a la Liga goal.
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