Hard-fighting Granada shatter Barcelona's La Liga title dreams after stunning win in Camp Nou
- Barcelona vs Granada has seen the Catalan giants lose all three points at home
- Lionel Messi's first half strike meant nothing as the visitors responded twice in second-half
- With five games left for most teams in La Liga, this seasons title race is far from over
PAY ATTENTION: Join Legit.ng Telegram channel! Never miss important updates!
Spanish giants Barcelona were handed a shock defeat at the Camp Nou as Granada put up a sensational performance to win 2-1.
It was fight to finish on Thursday, April 29, but the Catalan giants failed to claim victory that would have put them on top of the standings.
Lionel Messi opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, but the visitors responded twice in the second half courtesy Darwin Machis and Jorge Molina.
As expected, Barcelona took control right from the start of the encounter with Granada somewhat pinned into their own half. The team are played a back five in order to make things as difficult as possible for the Blaugrana.
Read also
Amazing gesture as Lionel Messi selflessly gives up hattrick to let Antoine Griezmann score
The first chance of the encounter came in the 8th minute when Sergi Roberto played the ball through the Granada defence to De Jong, but his ball fell to Jordi Alba and he struck wide.
The hosts then opened the scoring in the 23rd minute after a sensational Barcelona team-play was scored by captain Lionel Messi.
Griezmann with some good work to got into the Granada box, and he poked the ball to Messi who fired across goal to beat the goalkeeper. Barcelona 1-0 Granada.
The goal separated the teams at the break with little more to speak of in terms of chances.
However Grmanada had other plans as they came blazing from all cylinders in the second half.
They equalised in the 63rd minute following some sloppy play at the back from Barcelona.
Source: Getty Images
Machis finished a brilliant Granada counter-attack. A nice turn by Luis Suarez and his through ball was touched by Mingueza, who was unable to cut it out, and Machis rushed towards goal and finished past Ter Stegen. Barcelona 1-1 Granada.
It was a tough few minutes for Barcelona, first Granda level, then in the 66th minute manager Ronald Koeman was sent off by the referee.
And in the 79th minute, Granada completed an unlikely comeback! A sensational cross to Molina in the box and the 39-year-old nodded the ball into he back of the net. It ended; Barcelona 1-2 Granada.
Barcelona had the chance to go to the top of La Liga, but they blew it away.
Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that Lionel Messi may have handed Barcelona a huge boost after reportedly agreeing to a new contract beyond this season.
The 33-year-old's current deal with the club was due to expire in June with clubs like Manchester City and Paris Saint Germain waiting to compete for his signature.
However, this latest piece of news may have quenched the uncertainties surrounding the future of the Argentine at the Catalan club.
Source: Legit.ng
