Valencia 1-1 Barcelona LaLiga: goals, as it happened, match report
Goals from Rodrigo Moreno and Jordi Alba established a draw in the top-of-the-table clash at Mestalla, but Lionel Messi's ghost-goal was the main talking pointSevilla - Barcelona: Copa del Rey quarter-final
Gol fantasma. Ghost goal. The billboard-clash between LaLiga’s top two sides was shrouded in controversy after 30 minutes. Lionel Messi’s shot squirmed through the arms of Valencia ‘keeper Neto. He clawed it away from the goalmouth, but only after it had crossed the line. Barcelona players wheeled away to the corner, first to celebrate and then to remonstrate. Meanwhile, the game continued behind them.
Valencia and Barcelona drew 1-1 at Mestalla to maintain the status quo at the top of LaLiga. Rodrigo Moreno latched on to José Gayà’s low cross to cause pandemonium on the Mediterranean coast after an hour. The Spain international celebrated by pulling on an orange wig in tribute to Jaime Ortí, the former club president who died recently.
Jordi Alba drew the visitors level with eight minutes remaining, latching to Messi’s wonderful diagonal pass.
MOTM: Samuel Umtiti. The French centre-half was lucky to avoid conceding a penalty for a nudge on compatriot Geoffrey Kondogbia. But his performance was otherwise commanding and classy.
Where are Barcelona and Valencia in the table?
Barcelona remain in top spot with 35 points. Valencia are four points behind, with 31. Atlético and Real Madrid sit another four points back, with each on 27.
Who do Barcelona and Valencia play next?
Barcelona face a home tie against Real Murcia in the Copa del Rey, before then hosting Celta Vigo next weekend.
Valencia host Zaragoza in the cup, and will then travel to Getafe for their next LaLiga clash.