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Valencia logo
La Liga
Nov 30, 2014 at 8pm UK
 
Barcelona logo

0-1

FT(HT: 0-0)
Busquets (94')

Sergio Busquets strikes late to guide Barcelona past Valencia

Sergio Busquets scores in stoppage time as Barcelona clinch a 1-0 victory over Valencia at the Mestalla.

Sergio Busquets scored the winner in the fourth minute of stoppage time as Barcelona closed the gap on Real Madrid by beating Valencia 1-0 at the Mestalla.

Despite seeing their passing rhythm disrupted by the hosts early on, Barcelona created the first chance of the evening when Neymar crossed for Luis Suarez, whose effort was tipped past the post by Diego Alves.

Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi vies with Valencia's French midfielder Sofiane Feghouli during the Spanish league football match Valencia CF vs FC Barcelona at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on November 30, 2014© Getty Images

Valencia were making it difficult for the likes of Neymar and Suarez to get involved on a regular basis, and they threatened at the other end when Alvaro Negredo hit a shot straight at Claudio Bravo.

The best two chances of the first half fell to Valencia, but they missed the opportunity to take the lead when Andre Gomes twice fired past the post from the edge of the box.

After taking time to find their form early in the second half, Barcelona missed a brilliant chance to break the deadlock when Suarez dragged the ball wide of the post after evading a stranded Alves in the box.

Valencia came close to punishing Luis Enrique's side moments later when Rodrigo watched Gerard Pique respond impressively to clear his low strike off the line.

Barcelona were then dealt a cruel blow when a goal from Suarez was disallowed, despite the Uruguayan being in an onside position when the cross was delivered by Dani Alves.

Luis Suarez of FC Barcelona reacts as he fail to score during the La Liga match between Valencia CF and FC Barcelona at Estadi de Mestalla on November 30, 2014© Getty Images

The visitors continued to look vulnerable at the back, and they were fortunate to remain on level terms as Sofiane Feghouli hit a great opportunity straight at the relieved Bravo, who came to his side's rescue again to keep out Negredo's powerful strike.

Valencia would eventually drop deeper to frustrate Barcelona, who finally made the breakthrough with one of the final kicks of the match when Busquets tapped home after Alves had pulled off an impressive save to deny Neymar.

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Lionel Messi of F.C. Barcelona controls the ball during the La Liga match between Malaga CF and FC Barcelona at La Rosaleda studium on September 24, 2014
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona13110240122833
2Real Madrid1283125111427
3Atletico MadridAtletico137511971226
4Villarreal127322319424
5Osasuna136341720-321
6Athletic Bilbao135531913620
7Real BetisBetis135531412220
8Real Sociedad135351110118
9Mallorca135351010018
10GironaGirona135351617-118
11Celta Vigo135262022-217
12Rayo Vallecano124441313016
13Sevilla134361218-615
14Leganes133551316-314
15AlavesAlaves134181422-813
16Las PalmasLas Palmas133371622-612
17Getafe13175811-310
18Espanyol123181122-1110
19Real ValladolidValladolid132381025-159
20Valencia11146817-97


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