Lionel Messi brace saves Barcelona from defeat against Valencia in tough La Liga clash

- Barcelona came from two goals behind to draw 2-2 with Valencia courtesy of Lionel Messi's brace

- Kevin Gameiro netted the opener for Los Che in the 27th minute of the game

- Dani Parejo increased Valencia lead from the spot in the 32nd minute before Barca's fought back to share the spoils.

Barcelona came from two goals down to force Valencia to a 2-2 draw on Saturday, February 1, in an entertaining La Liga clash at Camp Nou.

Kevin Gameiro and Dani Parejo’s goals sent Valencia 2-0 up in Barca’s home ground before Lionel Messi netted once in each half to ensure the Catalan giants claimed one point from the contest.

Gameiro netted the opener for Los Che in the 27th minute of the game.

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And in the 32nd minute Dani Parejo increased Valencia lead from the spot.

In the 37th Barcelona were awarded their own penalty after Semedo was fouled by Latorre.

Messi scored but the referee sounded his whistle for a retake and the Argentine made no mistake from the spot kick to reduce the away side’s lead.

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Both side had chances to add the second, but were unable to convert as scores stood at Barcelona 1 - 2 Valencia at the end of the first stanza.

Jordi Alba replaced Nelson Semedo at the break as Barcelona upped their game at the start of the second stanza.

And in the 65th minute Barcelona level the scores after Messi’s wonderful strike from the edge of the box rested in the bottom corner of Valencia.

Despite other scoring moments no other goals were scored as the scoreboard read Barcelona 2 - 2 Valencia at the blast of referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco’s final whistle.

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The result sees Barcelona move six points clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid at the top of the La Liga with Valencia toppling Real Sociedad in the seventh spot.

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Philippe Coutinho has applauded Lionel Messi for handing him the responsibility to take the morale-boosting spot-kick that helped Barcelona thrash Sevilla to claim a semi-final spot in the Copa del Rey.

The Brazilian has struggled for form this term after falling behind Ousmane Dembele in the pecking order, but with Frenchman still recuperating from hamstring injury, club boss Ernesto Valverde, handed him a life-line in Barcelona’s front-line.

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Source: Legit.ng