LaLiga: Aspas rescues Celta from 10-man Barcelona

Iago Aspas scored a late goal as Celta Vigo twice came from behind to hold Barcelona to a 2-2 draw at the Municipal de Balaidos.

With an eye on their Copa Del Rey final against Sevilla this weekend, Barca’s manager, Ernesto Valverde made nine changes to his team, with the likes of Gerard Pique, Samuel Umtiti and  Lionel Messi dropping to the bench.

However, the away side took the lead through Ousmane Dembele, who netted his first La Liga goal, only for Jonny to equalise for the home side on the stroke of half time as both sides went into the break level.

After the break, Paulinho restored Barca’s lead just after the hour mark, before the visitors were reduced to ten men following Sergi Roberto’s dismissal for a cynical foul on Aspas, who was through on goal.

Ten minutes later, Aspas ensured both sides shared the spoils when he drew his side level with his 20th goal of the season.

It wasn’t a vintage performance from Ernesto Valverde’s second string side, but despite bringing on Lionel Messi in the second half, the Catalans had to settle for a draw.

That result, nevertheless, means they take a giant step towards winning the league title by extending their unbeaten run to 40 matches, and lead over second place Atletico Madrid to 11points.

For Celta, they move level on points with eight placed Girona, but are now four points off the European spots.

Elsewhere, Deportivo La Coruna were held to a goalless affair at home by Sevilla, while Villarreal’s quest for European football next season received a boost with a vital 2-1 victory over Leganes.

Full Results
Deportivo 0-0 Sevilla
Celta Vigo 2-2 Barcelona
Villarreal 2-1 Leganes