Celta Vigo vs Barcelona. Spanish La Liga.
Balaidos.
Barca one point clear of Real Madrid having played a game more; Follow Espanyol vs Real Madrid on Sunday (kick off 9pm) with live blog on Sky Sports website and app
Saturday 27 June 2020 23:13, UK
Barcelona's La Liga title hopes were dealt a huge blow as Iago Aspas' 88th-minute free-kick condemned them to a 2-2 draw at Celta Vigo.
Luis Suarez gave Barca the perfect start, heading home Lionel Messi's clever free-kick in the 20th minute for his first goal since January. Celta fought back though as Fyodor Smolov scored four minutes after the restart.
Quique Setien's side restored their lead in the 67th minute as Suarez, who was once again set up by Messi, put his side on course for their first win at Celta Vigo since 2015 and a three-point gap above Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.
However, Aspas' last-gasp strike meant Barca had to settle for a share of the spoils at the Estadio de Balaidos as Celta continued their fine form to move eight points clear of the relegation places.
It could have been even worse for the Catalan giants had Nolito not picked out Marc-Andre Ter Stegen from close range with more than half the goal to aim at, but Barca held on for a point which takes them one clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga having played a game more.
Zinedine Zidane's men now have the chance to take full advantage when they travel to Espanyol on Sunday evening.
The Estadio de Balaidos has not been a happy hunting ground for Barcelona in recent years but after Gerard Pique had hit the crossbar in seventh minute, Suarez headed the visitors in front.
Messi, lining up a free-kick from 25 yards, looked certain to fire at goal from a but instead floated an inch-perfect cross towards Suarez, who made no mistake from close range.
Celta responded well to going behind and they almost made an immediate response but Brais Mendez's post rebounded off the post before Aspas's fierce strike was palmed away by Ter Stegen
The hosts eventually equalised shortly after the interval as Russia striker Smolov equalised converted from close range after being picked out by Okay Yokuslu to complete a swift counter-attack.
But Suarez restored Barca's lead in the 67th minute after combining again with Messi, turning striking into the bottom corner to put his side on course for victory.
The second goal looked to have averted a second consecutive away draw for Barca after last week's goalless draw at Sevilla, but Aspas won a late free kick after falling over the outstretched leg of Pique right on the edge of the penalty area.
And he made the late opportunity count by whipping a low drive around the wall and into the near bottom corner, leaving Ter Stegen stranded.
Celta still had time for one final opportunity and they should have won the game in stoppage time when former Manchester City forward Nolito arrived at the far post to meet Denis Suarez's cross. However, with the goal at his mercy, but instead of picking out the empty net his shot went straight at Ter Stegen.
Can Real Madrid take full advantage? Follow Espanyol vs Real Madrid on Sunday with live blog on the Sky Sports website and app; kick off 9pm
Arthur will fly to Turin and undergo a medical with Juventus on Sunday ahead of a £72.5m switch from Barcelona.
The midfielder will then fly back to Spain on the same day and resume training with Barcelona ahead of their match against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.
Arthur was part of the squad that drew 2-2 with Celta Vigo on Saturday, introduced as an 86th-minute substitute.
Sky in Italy are reporting Miralem Pjanic will also have a medical in Turin this weekend ahead of his proposed switch the opposite way in the region of £60m.
Saul Niguez and Diego Costa scored second-half goals as third-placed Atletico Madrid registered their fourth consecutive victory with the 2-1 defeat of Alaves.
Joselu scored a late consolation for Alaves but it failed to spark a comeback as they lost for the third running as their relegation fears remained.
Goals from Raul Garcia, Oihan Sancet and Asier Villalibre helped Athletic Bilbao to a 3-1 win over Mallorca in the afternoon match in La Liga.
Enric Gallego scored in the sixth minute of stoppage time to hand Osasuna a 2-1 victory against Leganes.
The striker scored his side's opener in the ninth minute before Javier Aviles equalised for Leganes five minutes after the interval.
Gallego's then struck deep into added time to seal all three points.
Barcelona's next assignment in La Liga is against Atletico Madrid at the Nou Camp on Tuesday; kick-off at 9pm.
Up next for Celta Vigo is a trip to Mallorca on Tuesday; kick-off at 6.30pm.
