Valladolid vs FC Barcelona summary: score, goals & highlights | La Liga 2022/23
From start to finish Valladolid were sensational
Coming into this one, everyone knew the stakes. For the Catalans it was a matter of seeing out their season in healthy fashion, having already clinched the title. For the hosts, it was a matter life and death in relation to their status in La Liga. Indeed, following their dramatic loss last weekend, La Pucelana were on the verge of demotion.
Yet, it was not to be. Between the young Ecuadorian, Gonzalo Plata and his Canadian teammate, Cyle Larin, Valladolid put the Blaugrana to the sword on sensational night in Leon. Of course, it wasn't just the attacking duo who stood out, but every player on the team as Valladolid worked tirelessly to close space against a team that thrives in tight spaces. Did they do it? Given that the score could easily have been extended, we'd venture to say yes.
Of course, there will be those who argue that the home side only got the result because there was nothing to play for on the Catalan side, but for those who understand the beautiful game, they'll know that the quality displayed by Valladolid tonight would have been a lot to take for any team.
Ultimately, the home side, their fans and their owner, the legendary Ronaldo, will have to ask themselves how they can improve an obviously talented side as they look ahead to the next season. Yet, something tells us that they will find a way. We certainly hope so given the impressive performance that they put in tonight.
With that, we wish you all a good night and we thank you for joining us!
The Frenchman has no time though, as the referee brings the game to a close and the crowd goes wild. A 3-1 victory for the home side and what a performance it was!
We're almost at the end and it seems like the home crowd is about to lose it. With that Dembele is off for a run.
Aguado is fouled on the right side after attempting to combine with Kike and as you can expect, he's milking the clock. Who wouldn't do the same? Valladolid with the free kick on the right.
Kessie brings it forward, but at this point you can see the Catalans remain without ideas, as the home crowd whistles at the ref to end their wait.
We're in for 4 minutes of stoppage time.
We're approaching the last minute of the game and the score stands at 3-1 in Valladolid's favor. Only minutes now separate them from safety.
That could well have been a problem for the home side as Lewandowski fails to make decent contact with his head following Dembele's free kick. Indeed, that had goal written all over it.
Barca go to the right where Dembele is fouled, but Escudero will avoid a card at this late stage. A free kick to Barca.
Larin is called offisde for what could have been a serious problem once again on the counter against the Catalans.
Following a tussle in the box, Lewandowski is blown for a foul on his marker after he appeared to use him as a jumping pad.
The corner is too deep and Barca will have a goal kick. Off we go again.
After clever work from Rosa on the right, Valladolid have got themselves a corner.
Lewandowski with a decent goal after being played in by De Jong. He managed to round the keeper and with that the rest was academic. That's 3-1
Christensen is back on his feet and Valladolid will return the ball to the Catalans. Off we go again.
Doesn't seem that way as Eric is robbed in the middle. Christensen is on the ground, however, and we'll have a pause in play.
Barca are working the ball from left to right, but there is no penetration to be found and just like that Valladolid dispossess them. Once again they go to the left, but this time with no success. It will be Barca's ball again. Can they get anything here tonight?
Inside the final 10 minutes of this one now and it would be safe to say it's been something to see.
The clock is winding down on this one, but Valladolid appear to be winding up as it does. Special scenes here in the stadium.
Valladolid aren't quitting. A sensational cross from the left side from Escudero beats everyone, but Plata gets in the way of Kike and the pair contrive to miss an open goal.
From the counter Valladolid were in 1-on-1 but Rosa is denied by the post after chipping the ball over Pena for what would have been the icing on the cake and a 4-0 scoreline.
Barca try to get things going on the left side with Kessie, but it seems all roads are blocked, forcing him to go to the right. Dembele who receives the ball from him is promptly dispossessed and the counter starts.
With just 15 minutes left now, it's clear which way this game is going to go. Valladolid's fans are in full song now, while the Catalans seem content to opt for damage control.
And that's a goal indeed! After a lovely counter attack involving Plata, who played the ball across the box to a waiting Larin, who in turn finished neatly at the near post. The home fans are in raptures and it's 3-0!
Lovely ball to the left side where Plata awaits. His combination with Escudero is currently causing problems and they've got a corner to show for it.
Rosa and Kike will enter for La Pucela, while Plano and Machis will leave respectively.
We're almost at the 70 minute mark and Valladolid appear to be maintaining their stance, but they will make 2 more changes.
Valladolid with the throw in on the left side, deep in Barca territory. A long one at that and it almost causes problems, but Barca are able to escape. That is until Dembele is dispossessed. and Valladolid are at it again.
Probably their best play of the game. Lewandowski with a deft backheel to Balde on the left, whose low cross is just missed by an on rushing Ferran Torres. That should have been a goal.
Larin down the right and in space, but again no support. He plays it home and indeed the ball ends up with Masip in goal once again. They will start once more.
To Balde we go again, but the young winger elects to come back inside where he works it to De Jong. Finally it ends with Gavi on the right side, but his cross is terrible and goes for a goal kick.
Working with Kessie in the middle, De Jong appears to have found an adequate partner, but the outlets have yet to produce anything, which will remains the problem. Indeed, Barca have won the midfield battle, but it's the forward line which has yet to yield results.
The resulting free kick from the foul on Gavi is wasted by De Jong, but Barca manage to retain possession.
Rafinha is being replaced by Ferran Torres.
The game is becoming a bit of a tussle now as both sides are beginning to lose patience with each other. The referee will have to calm things down following this latest foul on Gavi.
What a crossss from Plata - he's been a problem all night - and Larin's touch is perfect, but unfortunately the far post has other ideas and he can only watch it deflect wide. The score remains 2-0 and Barca breathe a sigh of relief.
We're almost at the 60 minute mark and by the looks of things, Valladolid are going to get the win here tonight. That said, there's a lot of time left.
Gavi is unceremoniously dispossessed and Valladolid breaks, but they are halted soon after and it's Barca's ball once again.
A seraching ball from De Jong out to the left side where Balde awaits, but he's forced to go home at which point it's switched to Rafinha. The Catalans are trying to find a way in, but Valladolid is resolute.
Valladolid will make two changes with Roque Mesa leaving the field and Monchu stepping in, as well as Olaza who will be replaced by Escudero.
Valladolid continue to go in search of a third, which is impressive to say the least.
Balde once again on the left, but he's fouled by Plata and Barca will have a freekick from the left side of the area. Meanwhile, Dembele and Ferran Torres are warming up on the side.
Out of nowhere a lovely deep cross from Rafinha finds Balde at the back post, but his first time shot offers no trouble to Masip in goal.
Having been forced back home, the Catalans try to work the ball around, but they've got nothing for the moment.
Barca work through BAlde on the leftand he goes to the baseline, but there is nobody waiting for his low cross in the middle. After a clearance they work it to the right where Rafinha awaits.
Following the counter, Larin receives the ball on his own down the left side, but has to wait for support. It's Plata who follows him as he passes the ball across the box, but the shot is tame.
Roque Mesa goes on a run, but he's finally shutdown by Christensen. The Catalans recover and play to the left where once again they are forced to go back home. This time, however, they are able to get it to Balde and his cross goes dangerously close, but no result. Valladolid break!
Barca have a freekick on the right side after a foul on Gavi and they restarrt immediately. The ball is worked to Kessie on the left and he loses after which he is called for a foul for inadvertently elbowing Plata in the face. Valladolid with the free kick.
For the moment, we've started as we finished with the home side working every part of the field intensely, while the visitors seem to be going through the motions.
Off we go once again and it's Valladolid who gets us started.
Barca have made some changes from the looks of it, with Kessie entering for Sergi Roberto, while Ter Stegen is out for Inaki Pena in goal.
And we're back!
The players are making their way back onto the field and it seems like we've got some changes.
Penalty?
We're not here to debate the point. We'll leave that to you guys, but here's the foul that led to penalty.
Here's a look at Christensen's own goal
While the own goal was definitely unlucky, the buildup play was classy!
The home side appears to be trying to get one more before the half ends. Look at them go. Unfortunately there won't be enough time, as the referee brings the half to a close!
With just one minute of stoppage time, it would appear we're going into the half at 2-0 in Valladolid's favor. What a result for them so far!
After a long ball to Balde on the left, the ball is deflected and we've got a corner. It's over cooked and Valladolid will have a goal kick.
Barca regain possession after a failed Valladolid attack, but they've slowed their pace and work the ball to the right and then to Lewandowski, who is hounded by Mesa to the extent that he appeals, but the ref isn't buying it. On we go!
A decent effort from the Brazilian, but just too high. We stay at 2-0 to the home side.
Rafinha to take...
Valladolid on the break with Larin on the right. He overcooks his cross unfortunately and Barca are able to break through Gavi on the left side. Faced with 3 defenders, the young gun has no choice but to go home, after which the ball is worked to the right where Rafinha is fouled for his trouble. We've got a free kick from the right side of Valladolid's area - a dangerous position no doubt.
We're approaching the 40 minute mark and the score is still 2-0 to Valladolid, a scoreline that few could have predicted, but here we are.
The corner goes begging, but Barca maintain and the ball is worked back to Rafinha on the left, but his curling effort is straight at Masip and Valladolid will get going onc again.
De Jong will attempt to get things going for the Catalans as they move to the right side of the field. It comes back to the Dutchman, who lofts the ball in but once again Masip isn't having it as he blocks Rafinha's close range header. We'll have a corner.
An ambitious ball from the back to Larin. Truthfully, had his touch not failed him, he would have been in 1-on-1 with Ter Stegen.
It's Gavi on the left now, who looks back inside unfortunately De Jong is dispossessed and he doesn't like it. The result, a heavy challenge on Aguado. That he didn't get a card is puzzling, but on we go.
Valladolid are playing like a well drilled side right now. Indeed, it's something to see as they are effectively snuffing out Barca's ideas all over the pitch.
On we go and it's down the right that Barca try this time with DeJong attempting to pull the strings, but it's broken up by Aguado and Valladolid through Larin down the right. He wants a handball called on Marcos Alonso but the referee is having none of it. They will have a throw in on the side.
Barca will probably be feeling hard done to not have scored, but what can one do when a goalkeeper decides that "you shall not pass."
Off the corner it's Christensen with a bullet header and once again it's Jordi Masip with a sensational save in Valladolid's goal. He's having a great night between the sticks.
We're now approaching the half hour mark and it's Plata who gets into space on the right, but after his pass to Aguado, the ball is lost and Barca break and in truth are unlucky not to have scored following great work between Gavi and Lewandowski in the area. If not for a great save, Rafinha's shot would have scored. We'll have a corner.
Rafinha who has been relatively quiet so far, attempts to get involved, but play is halted for an off the ball foul by Gavi on Aguado.
Barca attempt to start from the back. For the moment the Garcia experiment doesn't seem to be yielding any results, but it's early in this one.
Fresneda with a jersey pull on Gavi and he will be carded for his trouble, the first of the night.
A long pass from MAchis to Roque Mesa goes begging, but they've already taken their shape. Valladolid is very much up for this one.
Valladolid are now playing with their tails up. Indeed, the home side has found their stride if even by somewhat fortunate circumstances. The Catalans are going to have a long night if they don't start to play better.
And that's 2-0 folks! Who could have predicted such a scoreline before a ball was kicked? Yet, such is the beauty of this game. La Pucela are currently on their way to securing safety, but there is still a lot of time left.
Larin to take...
And just like that, things are getting interesting! After a lovely ball into space for Larin, the Canadian is able to track it down, evade an oncoming Ter Stegen and then play the ball into the box for Plata. The Ecuadorian is fouled by Garcia and we've got a spot kick. Here we go!
Gavi is dispossessed once again in midfield, as the home team continues to dominate the midfield battle for the moment.
The corner fails to find the mark and Valladolid escape for the moment. They will need to keep an eye on that situation going forward, as they don't look convincing for the moment.
After some clever work between Gavi and Sergi Roberto, the Catalans get in with their first real opportunity, but Gavi's low cross is blocked for a corner.
Larin tries his luck with a slaloming run through the defense but he's eventually halted by Christensen who palys out through DeJong. The Catalans get going once again.
Joaquin Fernandez appears to have taken a knock and will be replaced by David Torres.
Following the throw in, Gavi is the subject of a cynical foul and we've got a freekick which he himself takes, but it's defended well. Barca will have a throw in from the right side, but first we've got a substitution.
Off of a long kickout from Ter Stegen, Lewandowski's first touch is the stuff of dreams as he takes it down with his back to the goal. Unfortunately, there is nobody in support and he's got to settle for a throw as the ball is poked out.
It's Olaza on the left side for Valladolid and he plays a lovely ball across the field to Plata on the right side. The Ecuadorian's cross is met by Larin who's thunderous shot is just blocked. Close call for the Catalans.
For the moment Barca are enjoying more possession - normally the case - but they are yet to threaten. So far, so good for Valladolid.
From the look of things, the home side has been well drilled in maintaining compactness. Indeed, there is little space in the central channels for Barca to work their magic.
On the followup play, Pablo Torre is afforded space in front of the area, but his shot is closer to the upper decks of the stands than it is to the goal.
Once again we've got Balde trying to work the left side, but he's forced home. De Jong will use him again and his cross into the box finds Lewandowski, but the hitman's shot is blocked and Valladolid survive their first real test.
The home side definitely seem to be confident as evidenced by their touches. A lovely long ball to Plata on the right side, but his cross is left wanting. The Catalans come forward again.
A heavy foul from Gavi on the right side, he'll have to consider himself lucky to have not picked up a card. Valladolid play the ball home to their keeper, who gets things going again.
La Pucela are attempting to work things down the left side, but it's Jordi Alba who brings an end to it. They will have a throw in.
Plata making introducing himself to the affair as he attempts to dribble out of defense. He's fouled for his trouble and Valladolid will have a free kick.
De Jong seems to be favoring the left side for the moment, where Balde has yet to attack his marker, but on we go.
Barca are trying to get into their rhythm but it's reasonable to believe that the goal has rattled them somewhat. While their's nothing to lose here tonight for the Catalans, an own goal is never a nice feeling.
You'll forgive me for cutting that last entry, but we've got our first goal and out of nowhere. An own goal at that! Following a lovely ball to the left side and a decent cross, it's Barca's Christensen who heads the ball into his own net and that's 1-0 to the home team!
For the moment the Catalans seem content to play within their own defense, but Valladolid have now managed to rob them of the ball and they're attempting to get their first.
And away we go! It's Barca in their golden kit against Valladolid in their traditional white and purple. It's Barca who start with it and off we go!
The players are on the field
Standing behind a banner that reads "no to racism" both teams are on the field, while the stadium - full to the brim - sings aloud. What a match we have tonight folks, and I'm happy to be bringing it to you!
It's almost game time
With less than 10 minutes to kickoff, we're getting excited over here for this one. Barcelona fans will almost certainly be watching this match as a formality, but we all know that it means much much more to those of Valladolid.
Can the side from Leon secure safety in Spain's La Liga, or will they be doomed to descend to the 2nd division? Be sure to stay with us to find out!
He's dangerous, but he's up against it
Following an impressive showing in last year's FIFA World Cup, it will be interesting to see how the young Ecuadorian copes with what is likely to be one of the biggest games of his career so far.
A big game for Valladolid and Canada
Canadian international, Cyle Larin, will have an opportunity to prove his worth tonight and truthfully, there couldn't be a bigger moment.
Let's take a look once again
With the lineup now confirmed, we can see that there have definitely been some changes, not the least of which is Eric Garcia in the pivot role and Pablo Torre who gets a rare start.
Ye, that's not good news...
Again, this does not bode well for the Valladolid's hopes of fending off relegation. While nothing in football is ever a foregone conclusion, it's fair to say the odds are not in their favor.
It's been a while
In case you're wondering, that defeat was back when Xavi - Barcelona's current coach - was running their midfield. In front of him were the likes of Neymar, Leo Messi and Luis Suarez, possibly the greatest strike force we've seen in modern football.
A Barcelona legend is now Valldolid's owner
Who can forget the years that O' Fenomeno spent terrorizing La Liga in a Barcelona jersey. Arguably the greatest player we've ever witnessed - yes Messi/Cristiano fans I said it - were it not for injury who knows what he could have given us.
Yet, that's besides the point. Today, the two-time World Cup winner is the owner of Real Valldolid and with that he will likely be a little conflicted tonight. Standing in the way of safety for his club, is the team with whom he became legend. Of course, now is not the time for sentimentality.
Memories...
Despite the obvious gulf in prestige, these two sides have produced some thrilling encounters over the years. Unfortunately for 'los pucelanos' it hasn't often gone in their favor. It goes without saying they'll be hoping to buck that trend when they take on the Catalan kings tonight.
Not so encouraging for Valladolid fans...
As we say: "No time like the present." That's what Valladolid will need to focus on when they host the 'Bluagrana' tonight if they are to fend off the specter of relegation.
A look at the line ups
With the title now in hand, Barca was always going to tinker, however, that means nothing to the 'Pucelanos' who will be going all out for the win on a night when they really do need it.
Welcome Welcome Welcome
It's going to be an interesting night in Spain's La Liga, with newly crowned champions FC Barcelona taking on Real Valladolid. On one side, the Catalans have no worries at this point and will likely be experimenting with younger players as well as those looking to cement their place in the squad.
Then we've got the team from Leon, which is on the verge of relegation. Needless to say the priorities of the sides couldn't be further removed from one another. At any rate, what's assured is that we're in for an intense affair. As much as Barca will come into this game expecting to win - regardless of their recent title clinching efforts - they are likely in for a quite a fight.
With that in mind, let's take a moment to welcome you to our coverage of the game. We hope you'll be staying with us throughout the contest as we bring you the action play by play!