Barcelona slump continues with Nou Camp defeat to Valencia

Barcelona's season is unraveling in astonishing style with a third straight La Liga defeat Sunday at home to Valencia leaving its title defense hanging by a thread.

A little over a fortnight ago, the Catalan giant had a nine-point lead and was also favorite to defend its Champions League crown, but a sudden loss of form has changed all that.

Valencia's 2-1 win is a complete reversal of the result the last two times the side's met in the Nou Camp, Barcelona winning 7-0 in the Spanish Cup.

It was one of a series of setbacks which led to the sacking of English coach Gary Neville, but despite a recent improvement, few were expecting Valencia to offer much resistance in the latest meeting.

But after soaking up some intense early pressure, it was Ivan Rakitic's deflected own goal and a Santi Mina strike just before halftime that set the visitor on its way to an unlikely three points.

 

 

 

Lionel Messi celebrates his 500th goal for club and country but it was not enough to rescue his side in the Nou Camp.

Lionel Messi snapped his recent goal drought, his first in five games, in the 63rd minute in a flowing move.

It was his 500th goal for club and country and gave Barca renewed hope.

Excellent chances fell to Rakitic and finally Gerard Pique, who screwed his late effort wide and put his head in his hands.

Barcelona is still top of La Liga, but only only goal difference from Atletico Madrid, which made no mistake earlier Sunday with a 3-0 home win over lowly Granada, with Koke, Fernando Torres and Angel Correa on target in the Vicente Calderon.