Lionel Messi was substituted at half-time on his first LaLiga start of the season as Barcelona claimed a 2-1 victory over Villarreal.
Match Reports
Barcelona earned head coach Ernesto Valverde a much-needed 2-1 LaLiga victory over Villarreal but Lionel Messi was substituted at half-time, cutting short his first start of the season.
After a modest start to the campaign Valverde's position had come under increasing scrutiny, yet goals from Antoine Griezmann and Arthur secured three welcome points on Tuesday.
Villarreal midfielder Santi Cazorla pulled a goal back before the break, but Barcelona's defence stood firm in the second half.
Messi pulled up with a muscle injury just before the half-hour mark and despite returning to the field following treatment was replaced by Ousmane Dembele at the interval.
The Argentina forward, finally able to make his 400th LaLiga start following a calf problem, had been instrumental in his team's sixth-minute opener at Camp Nou.
Match Events
6' GOAL! Barcelona 1-0 Villarreal (Griezmann)
Messi claims the assist and he deserves plenty of praise for his corner. The Argentina international added the perfect amount of spin to allow Griezmann to find some space.
15' GOAL! Barcelona 2-0 Villarreal (Arthur)
Arthur receives a pass from Busquets before unleashing a powerful drive to give Asenjo no chance in goal.
44' GOAL! Barcelona 2-1 Villarreal (Cazorla)
Cazorla decides he wants to try and win goal of the match as he lets fly from lone range, just like Arthur.
46' Messi is replaced by Dembele
Ousmane Dembélé replaces Lionel Messi because of an injury.
83' Barcelona appeal for a penalty
Ansu Fati is brought down and the referee appears to point to the spot. However, he speaks to his fellow officials and waves away the appeals.
Christopher_Robin
1689
Messi should stay injured until Valverde gets sacked
basketballer
411
Now the Happiest Person on the Earth is Valverde and the Saddest People are Barcelona Fans 😉
Desmondeyum
292
FATI: Fantastic Ansu Terrific Impact
Donadam
268
12min of Fati >Suarez's 78min
santos7
211
messi dribbled past van Dirk but couldn't dribble past injury
Christopher_Robin
207
Thanks to Messi and Arthur, Valverde is staying. I hope you two are happy 😒
Manvir89
155
Didn't notice Suarez for 78 min but Fati showed his presence in just 12 minutes
Teovartanian
99
Fati with more chances In 15 minutes than suarez in 75 😂
barcaforlive1992
91
.Dembele is waste. fati comes in and Dembele vanish like the flash. valverde out
aozao
70
Here is the GIF, click: http://www.goalgif.club/v2/live/matchGifs?match_id=52907731&language=en
JustChris
69
bro Suarez was scared to be substituted he kept looking at the side lines[Crylaugh][Crylaugh]but im happy hes not playing full 90min he did nothing today Griezmann arthur
messi assist
dembele and fati beast mode
-Selim10-
65
That moment when you realize Messi is injured again ...
DaMhztourage
61
Fati and Dembele up front is just like a swam of mosquitoes inside opponent's box , a lot of confusing movements from the duo
Congratulations for Arthur , that puskas goal
Benjo22
60
Suarez is completely done,he is finished and slowly and slowly Valverde is burning Barcelona.... He is completely destroying the Barca Midfield play...I hope Valverde soon break up with Sergi Roberto's mom.
TeamMessi10
52
Barca Dilemma for the next game Win: We get 3 points and move up the table but still have Valverde as our coach Lose: lose another 3 points and Valverde would be sacked!!!
smartsid_64
51
wtf, Suarez did nothing
Mosanya
47
Barca really gave their all in this match, they played well in both first and second half, am impressed even despite the absent of messi, fati once again impresses and shows why he barca needs him, he is incredible and amazes us at such a young game, hope he becomes a great player in the future, happy griezmann score his 3rd goal for Barca this season, hope he scores more, also happy dembele has returned, firpo had a good and decent match, Jordi Alba will have to compete for his spot, great goal by Arthur, that goal was a stunner, good game barca, the players were focused and determined to win the game, happy we won the three points, good luck in our next match.
Nesaiknruy_Legend
43
Funny how Barca had all the momentum their way then once Messi was off, the momentum shifted. No one can save a mans career the way Messi has saved Valverdes...
nchris
43
im really proud of these young players they are future prospects of Barcelona... dembele was good witj his terrific pace, de jong and arthur mastering the midfield, ansu fati is just amazing he's the next messi... we just need to improve defensive skills
Desmondeyum
43
What a way to celebrate camp Nou birthday
Elijay
42
if back passing possesion is an art then valvede is a piccaso of it #valvede out
Desmondeyum
39
valverde is the happiest person in the world now, more than even Messi
Desmondeyum
36
As soon as Suarez got substituted Barcelona improved... And it's not a coincidence
BelloFCB
35
Ansufati's 15 minutes of play is far better than Suarez 78 minutes + 90 minutes he played against Granada combined.
Edoo87
28
—Messi makes his first start of the season after recovering from injury —Messi goes off injured at half-time Get well soon, Leo 🙏
Desmondeyum
26
Pique and Lenglet can't keep a clean sheet whiles mustaphi is keeping clean sheets
Desmondeyum
25
first half : Barcelona second half : Crystal palace
SINGAM23
9
Messi, injured ?? what a high octane drama !! He'd feared Barca might lose and feigned injury.... good tactical approach and that's the way to blame the coach, Valverde