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Matchday 30

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BAR

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Villarreal fight back to hold Barcelona at the Madrigal

Goals from Rakitic and Neymar put the leaders in control but a strike from Bakambu and an own-goal from Mathieu after the break left it all square.

News

DOM 20.03.2016

FC Barcelona were unable to take full advantage of second-placed Atletico Madrid's defeat on Saturday as they frittered away a two-goal lead to draw at the Madrigal. Luis Enrique's team moved nine points clear at the top and extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to 39 games. Villarreal stayed fourth.

Villarreal bright start 

Villarreal, who progressed to the quarter-finals of the Europa League during the week, were without a league win in three but almost took the lead in the first minute when a cross into the area was almost turned into the Barcelona goal. Manuel Trigueros and Arda Turan went for the ball and turned it against the near post, where Claudio Bravo pounced to scrabble it in amidst a crowd of players.

Barcelona lead

Barça, who qualified for the Champions League quarter-finals midweek, took the lead after a freekick. Leo Messi curled the ball into the danger zone where it hit Luis Suarez and broke loose in the area. Ivan Rakitic was quickest to react and hammered the ball through a crowd of players for his fifth Liga BBVA goal of the campaign. Neymar then doubled the lead from the penalty spot just before halftime, and Villarreal looked to be in trouble.

Bakambu goal

The Yellow Submarine responded in style in the second half. Denis Suarez lead the fightback against his former club, dribbling into the area and firing in a low shot. Bravo could only parry and Cedric Bakambu pounced at the far post to pull one back for the hosts. It was his 11th goal of the season.

Own Goal

The goal galvanized the home crowd and Marcelino's team. After Bravo and saved another effort at his near post, Villarreal levelled. A corner was turned into his own net by Barça defender Jeremy Mathieu and the game opened up into an end-to-end encounter. Bravo and Asenjo both made important saves in a thrilling finale

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