Barcelona 2-1 Getafe: Defending champions gain narrow win over surprise package

Antoine Griezmann’s opener was his first La Liga goal since 21 December

Barcelona went level on points with La Liga leaders Real Madrid after grinding out a narrow win over Getafe.

Allan Nyom appeared to put third-placed Getafe ahead but his goal was ruled out by the video assistant referee for a foul on Samuel Umtiti.

Antoine Griezmann clipped Barca ahead from Lionel Messi’s excellent first-time pass and Sergi Roberto scored their second from Junior Firpo’s cross.

But Angel Rodriguez’s volley set up a tense finale.

The 32-year-old, who Barcelona are considering signing in an emergency deal, guided home an expert finish from 18 yards out from Jaime Mata’s cross. That was his eighth goal as a substitute this season.

Getafe almost rescued a point but Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s excellent save denied Angel a second.

Under La Liga rules, if a player is out for more than five months, then clubs can apply to sign one player from another La Liga club.

With Ousmane Dembele ruled out for up to six months – and Luis Suarez also sidelined – Barca are looking at several options, including Angel, who has a £7.5m buyout clause.

Messi has now failed to score in four consecutive La Liga appearances for the first time since October 2013 to January 2014 – although he had set up Barca’s previous six league goals before Roberto’s strike.

Real Madrid can re-establish their three-point lead on Sunday when they host Celta Vigo (20:00 GMT).

• Line-ups
• Match Stats
• Live Text

Line-ups

Barcelona

• 1ter Stegen
• 20Roberto
• 3Piqué
• 23UmtitiBooked at 49mins
• 18AlbaSubstituted forFirpoat 22'minutesBooked at 82mins
• 21de Jong
• 5Busquets
• 8ArthurSubstituted forRakiticat 75'minutes
• 10Messi
• 17Griezmann
• 31FatiBooked at 85minsSubstituted forVidalat 85'minutes

Substitutes

• 2Nélson Semedo
• 4Rakitic
• 13Murara Neto
• 22Vidal
• 24Firpo
• 33Araújo
• 41Manaj

Getafe

• 13Soria
• 12Nyom
• 2Dakonam
• 16Etxeita
• 17OliveraSubstituted forKenedyat 52'minutesBooked at 89mins
• 5EteboSubstituted forNdiayeat 67'minutes
• 18Arambarri
• 20Maksimovic
• 15Cucurella
• 19MolinaSubstituted forRodríguezat 52'minutes
• 7MataBooked at 73mins

Substitutes

• 1Chichizola
• 4Cabaco
• 9Rodríguez
• 11Ndiaye
• 14Silva Acosta
• 24Timor
• 25Kenedy

Referee:Guillermo Cuadra FernándezAttendance:89,409

Match Stats

Home TeamBarcelonaAway TeamGetafePossessionHome76%Away24%ShotsHome12Away7Shots on TargetHome5Away2CornersHome2Away3FoulsHome12Away30

Live Text

Posted at

Match ends, Barcelona 2, Getafe 1.

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