Late Levante equaliser sees Barca's La Liga title hopes take major hit

Barcelona suffered a major setback in La Liga after only drawing 3-3 at Levante. Messi and Pedri gave Barca a first half lead, but two goals in two minutes for Levante just before the hour mark made it 2-2. Ousmane Dembele restored Barca's advantage, but a late goal by Sergio Leon meant Barca dropped two more points in the title race. 

The result leaves Barca one point behind Atletico Madrid and one ahead of Real Madrid, but both Madrid based clubs have a game in hand. It means Barca could potentially be four points off the pace come the end of the matchday with just two matches remaining. For Levante, it was a well deserved point and they are now safe in La Liga for another season. 

The visitors started the game very strongly and Pedri had two glorious chances in the opening five minutes. The former Las Palmas man blazed the first opportunity over and was then denied by goalkeeper Aitor Fernandez moments later. 

The game then calmed down and entered a lull before Barca deservedly took the lead on 25 minutes through Lionel Messi. Pedri passed to Jordi Alba who then put in a lovely cross to the back post and the Argentine headed home. Barca then took control and Jordi Alba and Messi could have added a second before Pedri did so after 34 minutes. 

Messi picked out Dembele in the box, he went to the by-line and then found Pedri in the middle who tapped in from close range. Levante were not playing badly, but they could not cope with Barca when they attacked. Sergio Busquets nearly made it three just before the interval and if Barca thought they had the game in the bag, they were in for a nasty surprise in the second period. 

 

May 11, 2021

Messi and De Jong had opportunities to kill Levante off, but they did not and they were made to pay for it. Gonzalo Melero scored for Levante after 57 minutes when he headed in Miramon's cross and then, two minutes later, the hosts were level after Lionel Messi inexplicably passed back to Jose Luis Morales, he played a one-two with Roger and then hit into the back of the net. 

The two goals came out of the blue and Barca had to fight back to not lose further ground on Atletico Madrid in the title race. And they responded after just five minutes. The visitors attacked, Jorge Miramon was under pressure from Griezmann and he ended up playing in Ousmane Dembele who beat Aitor Fernandez. Levante wanted a foul as Griezmann caught Miramon on the leg after he passed the ball, but their claims fell on deaf ears. 

There was to be a late twist though seven minutes from time when Tono beat Sergino Dest to the ball, the American slipped, and that allowed to Tono to pass to Sergio Leon who scored at the near post to level the scores and severely dent Barca's title hopes.