Iago Aspas strikes late to blunt Barca’s title bid

Barcelona was held by Celta Vigo to 2-2 after conceding an 88th-minute equalizer on Saturday, opening the way in which for Real Madrid to take sole possession of the Spanish league lead.

Iago Aspas scored from a intelligent low free kick that went outdoors the wall to steal the win from Barcelona, which moved one level in entrance of Madrid forward of the rival’s go to to last-placed Espanyol on Sunday.

Barcelona misplaced the league lead after drawing at Sevilla two rounds in the past. Madrid has but to lose factors after the pandemic break.

Celta moved additional away from demotion with the draw, opening an eight-point hole to the relegation zone. It was coming off two victories, together with a 6-Zero rout of Alavés.

Both Barcelona targets got here from Luis Suárez, who hadn’t scored since recovering from surgical procedure on his proper knee in January.

He bought on the board first with a 20th-minute header after a set-piece taken by Lionel Messi, who once more fell in need of his 700th profession objective for membership and nation. It was the third straight recreation wherein Messi had an opportunity to succeed in the milestone objective.

Aspas, who hit the submit within the first half, began the breakaway that led to the close-range equalizer by Russian striker Fiodor Smolov within the 50th.

Suárez put Barcelona forward once more with a shot from close to the middle of the realm after one other help by Messi within the 67th, however Aspas pulled off the late equalizer together with his free kick that left Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen flat-footed.

Stegen later saved Barcelona from leaving Vigo with none factors by making a goal-line save after a close-range shot by Nolito within the ultimate minutes.

Barcelona hadn’t conceded in 5 straight matches. It hasn’t received at Celta in six consecutive matches, since 2015.

Barcelona coach Quique Setién began with children Ansu Fati and Riqui Puig within the lineup, leaving Antoine Griezmann on the bench for many of the match at Balaídos Stadium.

OTHER RESULTS

Athletic Bilbao elevated its possibilities of qualifying for the Europa League by defeating relegation-threatened Mallorca 3-1 at dwelling, transferring to ninth place.

The Basque Country membership is three factors behind sixth-placed Villarreal within the ultimate qualification spot for second-tiered European membership competitors.

It was Athletic’s second straight win since shedding at Barcelona for its solely defeat for the reason that break.

Mallorca, winless for the reason that league resumed, remained within the relegation zone and will drop to final place relying on different outcomes.