Granada 2-2 Barcelona: Lamine Yamal becomes LaLiga’s youngest ever goalscorer and Sergi Roberto slots late equaliser as visitors fight back from two goals down to rescue a point
- Teeanger Lamine Yamal kickstarted Barcelona’s comeback with first-half strike
- Sergi Roberto slotted the equaliser from Alejandro Balde’s assist in 85th minute
- Mail Sport’s new WhatsApp Channel: Get the breaking news and exclusives here
A brilliant double from Bryan Zaragoza meant Barcelona dropped two points in a 2-2 draw at Granada. It might have been worse but the winger hit the post late on denying him a hat-trick and a home win.
Barcelona were behind after just 18 seconds. They took kick-off but Andreas Christensen played a poor pass to Gavi who lost possession in midfield. In a flash Gonzalo Villar broke and fed Lucas Boye who played in Zaragoza whose shot across Marc Andre ter Stegen should not have beaten a keeper of his caliber but did.
It was Zaragoza’s fourth of the season, he’s the player with the most successful dribbles in La Liga. He’s only 24 and his release clause is just 14million euros.
Barcelona tried to respond quickly but Andre Ferreira blocked shots from both the lively Joao Felix and Gavi. And on the half hour Granada had doubled their lead and it was Zaragoza again with his fifth of the season.
He set off in the hope that Gerard Gumbau would find him with a long ball over the top from midfield. The pass arrived and Zaragoza got in front of Jules Kounde but he was not content with beating him once. He checked back inside, then dummied his shot sending Kounde the wrong way once more. Then with the outside of his right foot he smashed his shot high into Ter Stegen’s net.
Barcelona starlet Lamine Yamal became the youngest goalscorer in La Liga history
Sergi Roberto slotting in from Alejandro Balde’s assist in the 85th minute on Sunday
Bryan Zaragoza’s first-half double put Granada in charge against Barcelona
Could things get any worse for Barcelona in the first half? Yes. Human cannonball Gavi had fallen on Kounde’s leg during one Granada attack and the defender went to ground needing treatment. He tried to carry on but the pain and discomfort in his knee was too much and he hobbled off to be replaced by Ronald Araujo.
Almost immediately after that set-back Barcelona got back into it when Lamine Yamal became the youngest ever scorer in La Liga at just 16 years and 87 days. Joao Felix made it happen picking him out in a crowded penalty area. Just onside he turned the ball in from close range.
Barcelona were without the injured Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres was not having his best night substituting the Polish forward. When Ilkay Gundogan crossed from the right he had the chance to score from close range but Andre Ferreira blocked his effort.
With 15 minutes left Yamal went down with a groin strain – another blow for Xavi already missing Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Raphinha and Lewandowski. The shots were coming from further out now with first Gundogan and then Gavi having efforts saved by Ferreira.
Time was running out for Barcelona but Granada were their own worst enemies with five minutes left. Jesus Vallejo and Jose Callejon both looked to gain a foul from Joao Felix. Callejon was particularly theatrical and as play continued Alejandro Balde crossed and Sergio Roberto scored.
Barcelona might even have won it when Joao Felix ghosted in at the far post to convert Joao Cancelo’s cross but Ferran was offside in the middle and the flag was raised.
Between the equaliser and what Barca believed should have been the winner Zaragoza hit the post from a Granada counter. The night still belonged to him, even if Barcelona’s resistance had prevented him finishing on the winning side.
Source: Read Full Article