Granada shocked Barcelona and came back from a goal down to beat the Catalan side 2-1, at the Camp Nou, on Thursday night. The result prevented them from returning to the top of the table for the first time since June 2020.
Lionel Messi fired his team ahead midway through the first half, after some good passing with Griezmann, to beat Granada keeper Aaron Escandell at his far post. However, the fortunes turned as soon as the second half began.
Although Lionel Messi missed a glorious chance to double Barca’s lead right before half-time, the second half was a bit different for the Argentine talisman.
Granada drew level in the 63rd minute, as Darwin Machís pounced on a deflected through ball and smashed his effort past Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman was harshly shown a red card for something he said to the officials and was forced to leave the dugout for the remainder of the game, communicating through the phone to his assistant. After the match, it was confirmed the Dutch coach said ‘what a character’.
In the 79th minute, substitute Jorge Molina headed the visitors to a shocking lead, after Gerard Pique had missed a clear goal scoring opportunity to put the hosts ahead earlier.
The result meant Barcelona remained in third place, level on points with Real Madrid, but due to head-to-head, they will sit behind Los Blancos. It leaves Atletico Madrid in first place and two points ahead of the two Spanish giants.
On the other hand, Koeman will most likely miss Sunday’s trip to former club Valencia, as well as a possible title-deciding match against Atletico Madrid.
