Barcelona Blows Chance To Top La Liga Table
Barcelona blew the chance to go top of the Spanish La Liga table after a frustrating 3-3 draw against Levante at the Estadio Ciudad de Valencia.
The visitors started Lionel Messi up front alongside Frenchman Antoine Griezmann, and were looking to go past leaders Atletico Madrid on the table.
In the 25th minute, Jordi Alba sent in a dangerous cross from the left but Levante defender Jorge Miramon managed to get a touch. However, Messi adjusted his body and executed a perfect left-footed volley to opening the scoring for Barcelona.
It was the Argentine’s 29th goal of the season, keeping him at the top of the league goalscoring chart.
Alba almost added a second moments later when he latched onto Messi’s ball over the top, but he fired wide of the goal. Moments later, Barcelona doubled its lead after Ousmane Dembele raced to the byline and pulled the ball back for Pedri to slide into an empty net.
The visitors almost had a third before half-time when Messi crossed for Sergio Busquets, whose header was narrowly wide.
In the second half, Barcelona were stunned when Levante scored twice in three minutes to level the score. First Miramon stood up a cross and Gonzalo Melero got in front of Sergi Roberto to head home at the far post.
Moments later Messi gave the ball away and Jose Morales played a one-two with Roger Marti before crashing the ball into the top corner.
Dembele struck with a fierce drive in the 64th minute to put Barca back in front to make the scoreline 3-2 to the visitors.
However, Sergio Leon left Barcelona grounded when he turned in a cross from left-back Tono with seven minutes remaining.
The match finished 3-3- at hosts Levante stunned title-chasing Barcelona.
The Spanish La Liga has produced another twist in the 2020/2021 season as the four-way title race between Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Sevilla remains wide open.
Full Time pic.twitter.com/pZiiF1hfp7
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) May 11, 2021
The result means Barcelona could only climb above Real Madrid into second, a point behind leaders Atletico Madrid, with two matches left to play.
Both Madrid sides will play their game in hand over the next couple of days. Atletico Madrid will host Real Sociedad on Wednesday, while Real Madrid will travel to Granada on Thursday.
HIGHLIGHTS | @LevanteUDen stun Barça with spirited comeback at the Ciutat de Valencia.
