By Daily sports on May 3, 2021
Lionel Messi scored twice and missed a penalty as Barcelona came from behind to move within two points of La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid.
Ex-Arsenal man Gabriel headed Valencia in front only for Messi to miss from the spot but convert the rebound.
Antoine Griezmann put Barca ahead and Messi clipped in a trademark free-kick before Carlos Soler's screamer gave Valencia vain hope.
Barca host leaders Atletico next Saturday at the Nou Camp.
Third-placed Barcelona are level on points with arch rivals Real but beneath them in the table because Real have won both El Clasico games this season.
A shock defeat at home to Granada last time out had left little room for error in Barca's quest to regain the title.
And Gabriel's thumping header just after half-time piled further pressure onto Ronald Koeman's side.
It took a lackadaisical penalty from Messi to spark them into life.
Jasper Cillessen pulled off a tremendous save from Messi's spot-kick only for the Argentine to pounce for the equaliser in the ensuing scramble.
Frenkie de Jong's header was then brilliantly turned aside by Cillessen but this time Griezmann was on hand to convert from close range.
Barca’s final goal was vintage Messi, a whipped free-kick that kissed the inside of the post and nestled in the far corner.
It was arguably not the best goal of the night with Soler’s fine strike from distance almost dragging Valencia back into it, but Koeman’s team held on. (BBC)
•PHOTO: Lionel Messi
Source Daily sports
Posted May 3, 2021
You may also like...
Osimhen starts Napoli pre-season, awaits offers
Conte says sacking him will be a stupid...
Coronavirus: NFF To Support Nigerians With Tubers Of...
Ighalo starts 2023 with a bang
Inter Complete €40m Hakimi Signing
Klopp Confident Reds Can Win Title Without Being...
US waives visa fees for Cape Verde keeper’s mother
World Cup: African teams concede 16 goals, score seven in first round
Eagles must move forward, Osimhen on Mundial miss
Women’s top seed reaches CBN tennis q’finals
Adeshina doubtful for Commonwealth Games
Oshoba, Ibeabuchi, Esepo lead 2026 FGM award nominees
Why I cried after first goal in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria — Messi
Serena Williams suffered a straight-sets defeat in the Berlin Open doubles on Tuesday, hours after the confirmation of her return to Wimbledon to play alongside her older sister, Venus. Williams and Czech doubles partner Karolina Muchova fell to Mexico’s Giuliana Olmos and Erin Routliffe, of New Zealand, 6-4, 6-4. The duo lost the opening set after Williams was broken in her second service game. They were broken on Muchova’s serve midway through the second set and failed to find a way back into the contest.
W’Cup Olise, Barcola shine as Mbappé double powers France past Senegal in 3-1 thriller
W’Cup: Olise, Barcola shine as Mbappé double powers France past Senegal in 3-1 thriller
_1.jpg)
2026 FIFA WORLD CUP FINALS: Nigerian-Born Stars Dazzle in the US, Canada and Mexico
depoju picks best World Cup moment June 16, 2026 4:18 am
Most Read
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,886 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (55,212 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (53,142 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,736 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,626 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,510 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,376 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,916 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (51,111 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,593 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (48,055 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,473 views)