Lionel Messi Saves Barcelona With Late Goal In 1-1 Tie Vs Villarreal

Lionel Messi has always delivered excellent plays and goals for Barcelona, and on Sunday, the Argentine star saved the Catalan club from a loss yet again.

Lionel Messi Saves Barcelona With Late Goal In 1-1 Tie Vs Villarreal

In the 89th minute of Sunday’s game against Villarreal, Barcelona was given a 25-yard free kick.

Messi, 29, fired a left-footer off the underside of the crossbar to tie it 1-1.

The goal was Messi’s 13th La Liga goal of the season. Barcelona now sits five points behind Real Madrid for third in the La Liga title race. Sevilla is second, while Villarreal remains fifth. Real Madrid routed Granada 5-0 earlier on Sunday.

“I can’t make a positive evaluation because we needed the three points today,” said Bara coach Luis Enrique. “We aren’t on a very favourable run at the moment and although we kept hitting the target things just would not fall for us.

Villareal’s Nicola Sansone put the hosts ahead 1-0 five minutes after halftime. Barca gave away the ball on the edge of Villarreal’s box and paid a hefty punishment. Alexander Pato collected on the half-way line and played a pass that took out three men, allowing Sansone to tap the ball across Marc-Andre ter Stegen and in off the far post.

Barcelona had the majority of possession in the first half and recorded the first shot on goal when Andres Iniesta’s firm strike was on target but landed straight in Villareal goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo’s arms.

Neymar was also denied an opportunity, and Pato did well on the left flank to connect with Jonathan dos Santos, although he lifted his volley just over the bar.

Just before halftime, Messi saw a header tipped over and Uruguayan Luis Suarez was denied when he shot straight at Asenjo.

After Messi’s goal, Villareal had Jaume Costa sent off for a second booking, although by then the game was nearly over.

Barcelona next hosts Atletico Bilbao on Wednesday in the Copa del Rey Round of 16, Game 1.

VILLARREAL, SPAIN – JANUARY 08: Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona competes for the ball with Manu Trigueros of Villarreal CF during the La Liga match between Villarreal CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio de la Ceramica stadium on January 8, 2017 in Villarreal, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)