The Catalan giants came from behind to seal a slender victory on Sunday, maintaining the pressure on league leaders Atletico Madrid.
FC Barcelona snatched all three points from Valencia by beating them 3-2 to keep their La Liga title hopes from extinguishing.
Valencia drew the first blood, with Gabriel Paulista heading into an empty net five minutes into the second half.
It did not take long, however, for the visitors to reply as Lionel Messi found the equalizer just seven minutes after his side went down. Messi had his penalty saved by former teammate Jasper Cillessen. Sergio Busquets and Pedri both took attempts on rebounds but without fail before Messi finally tapped home after the ball fell back to him.
Barca leveled things up quickly, and they were even quicker to take the lead. Jordi Alba whipped in a brilliant cross from the left finding Frenkie De Jong’s head. De Jong’s shot was saved but Antoine Griezmann, on the rebound, made sure to roll the ball into the net.
Just six minutes later, Messi doubled his side’s advantage with an exquisite free-kick that floated over the wall and dipped in off the far post.
A stunner from Carlos Soler inside the final ten minutes reignited the hosts’ hope but they weren’t able to find an equalizer.
Ronald Koeman’s team go level on points with second-placed Real Madrid and are now two points behind La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid.
Player Ratings
Barcelona: Ter Stegen – 6, Lenglet – 5, Pique – 7, Araujo – 7, Alba – 6, Dest – 5, Pedri – 6, Busquets – 7, De Jong – 8, Griezmann – 8, Messi – 9, Illax – 6, Roberto – 5
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