Celta dent Barca's title bid
Spain striker Iago Aspas dealt a brand new blow to Barcelona's La Liga title hopes by striking a good late no cost kick to snatch a good 2-2 draw at home to the Catalans on Saturday as Quique Setien's area twice threw away the lead in a thrilling match.
The draw put Barca back along with the table on 69 points after 32 game titles but Real Madrid, on 68, can go two tips clear at the summit if they beat Espanyol abroad on Sunday.
Luis Suarez headed Barca in front in the 20th minute because of a bit of ingenuity from Lionel Messi, who looked certain to fire at target from a free of charge kick but instead lofted the ball towards his Uruguayan strike partner.
Russia striker Fedor Smolov equalised for Celta early found in the next half, knocking in a pass from Ok Yokuslu to complete a quick counterattack after Barca's Ivan Rakitic had given the ball away.
But Suarez restored Barca's lead in the 67th minute after combining again with Messi, swivelling to fire in to the bottom corner.
The second goal seemed to have averted another consecutive away pull for Barca after previous week's goalless stalemate at Sevilla but Aspas won a later no cost kick after falling over the outstretched legs of Gerard Pique.
Celta's talismanic striker made the late opportunity count by mailing a minimal drive around the wall structure and in to the near bottom corner, flummoxing Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Celta must have won the overall game in added period when Nolito attained the far post with the goal gaping, but instead of tapping into the net his shot went right at Ter Stegen.
Celta are actually 16th on 34 points, the draw taking them eight points free from the relegation zone.
Source: www.thedailystar.net
