Barcelona have edged out rivals Espanyol 1-0 in this afternoon's Catalan derby in La Liga, thanks to a Lionel Messi penalty.
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Both sides missed chances in a thrilling first half and Espanyol matched their opponents for the majority of the game, but it was Messi who was decisive once again, winning it for the visitors late on.
Barca created a host of chances in a frantic opening period with Neymar in particular guilty of missing two good opportunities, one when unmarked four yards from goal.
There were also chances for Messi and Pedro as the visitors were left frustrated by the doggedness of their opponents.
Espanyol created a couple of chances of their own as game wore on. Pizzi fired over the bar after a good pass from Sergio Garcia after Jose Pinto had appeared to carry the ball over the goalline, but the referee gave nothing.
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In the second half the pace slowed somewhat as both sides missed half-chances before Messi decided the game with 13 minutes to go, slotting his penalty beyond the goalkeeper after a handball offence by Javi Lopez.
Things got worse shortly afterwards for the home side as Kiko Casilla rushed from his goal and his penalty area to deny Messi with a handball and was subsequently sent off.
Lopez went in goal for the hosts and showed his versatility with a couple of good saves in the closing minutes.
Daniel Cross
