Angel Lafita scored twice as Getafe secured a 2-2 draw against Barcelona at the Camp Nou this afternoon.
Lafita's first of the afternoon cancelled out a Lionel Messi strike to leave the two sides level at the interval.
Alexis Sanchez sent Barcelona ahead once more after 67 minutes, but Lafita's header in the second minute of stoppage time secured an unlikely point for the visitors.
The result means that Barcelona are three points behind leaders Atletico Madrid, who have a game in hand. Meanwhile, Getafe have moved three points clear of the drop zone.
Here, Sports Mole dissects the 90 minutes of action between the two La Liga rivals.
Match statistics
Barcelona
Shots: 21
On target: 8
Possession: 75%
Corners: 11
Fouls: 13
Getafe
Shots: 8
On target: 5
Possession: 25%
Corners: 3
Fouls: 6
Was the result fair?
As expected, Barcelona dominated possession for the entirety of the match this afternoon. However, they really struggled to carve out clear openings in what was a lacklustre performance. Getafe had to spend long periods without the ball, but were certainly dangerous when given the chance to counter. The statistics demonstrate that Barca dominated in almost every area at the Camp Nou and while that was the case, Getafe's forward-thinking mentality deserved to take something. It was almost as if Barcelona thought that the match was won when they scored the second and they were punished for over-confidence in stoppage time. The defeat has all but ended the home side's title challenge, but Getafe will now take confidence into their final two league games in their fight against relegation.
Barcelona's performance
In short, Barcelona were really poor. It will not come as much of a surprise to those that have watched the Catalan outfit over the last couple of months, especially at the Camp Nou. Quickly they settled into a passing rhythm in forward areas, but Getafe were comfortable for long spells as they sat back and absorbed the pressure. The opener from Messi came from what was their first real chance of the match, but more slack defending cost them at the other end. Head coach Gerardo Martino has been criticised for leaving Pedro and Sanchez out of the team in recent months, but both struggled to influence proceedings this afternoon, while Messi, despite his goal, still isn't quite there. In fairness, Martino has a number of his key first-team players on the sidelines, but the XI he selected should have been good enough to overcome a side that has struggled on the road all season. In truth, the performance was a reflection of their form in 2014.
Getafe's performance
Even the most ardent of Getafe supporters would not have picked out this match as a chance to put some points on the board in their battle against the drop. Suspension for Ciprian Marica meant that Adrian Colunga led the line, but when the Spaniard was forced to depart with an injury in the first period, Getafe did not have a recognised striker on the pitch. Ironically, however, it might have helped them, with Pablo Sarabia and Lafita taking turns in a central position, with the Barcelona defence struggling to close the space in the final third. As touched upon, the capital outfit had to spend long periods without possession, but they always carried a threat on the counter attack. Some visitors to the Camp Nou this season have been criticised for having too much respect for the Spanish champions, but from the word go, Getafe were in Barcelona's faces this afternoon.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Angel Lafita: This is not a difficult decision. Lafita twice levelled for Getafe this afternoon, with his second of the match enough to earn his side a point. It wasn't just his goals that made it such a strong performance, however, with the Spaniard a willing runner in the final third. The 29-year-old was also prepared to do his defensive work and made a number of crucial headers when Barcelona started to force the issue with set pieces.
Biggest gaffe
Barcelona are expected to sign at least one central defender this summer and it has been a long time coming. With Getafe playing with just one attacker in the latter stages, Martino withdrew Javier Mascherano and introduced Cesc Fabregas. As a result, Sergio Busquets dropped into the home side's back four, but it cost them in the latter stages when Lafita was allowed to arrive unmarked inside the box before planting a powerful header past Jose Pinto. The marking was just non-existent.
Referee performance
Barcelona were not pleased with the award of Getafe's equaliser late in the first period, with Lafita appearing to handle before finishing into the bottom corner. The linesman had his flag raised, but referee Jose Teixeira overruled his colleague and awarded the goal. Overall, it proved to be a busy afternoon for the official, with five yellow cards awarded in what was a feisty affair. Aside from the major incident mentioned, it was a fairly straight-forward 90 minutes for the Spaniard, however, who was more than prepared to let the play flow rather than whistle for every late challenge.
What next?
Barcelona: Barcelona could be mathematically out of the La Liga title race by the time they travel to Elche next Saturday.
Getafe: It does not get any easier for Getafe as the capital outfit welcome in-form Sevilla next Saturday.
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