MX23RW : Saturday, June 29 17:26:40| >> :60:704:704:
[monks data]
Barcelona logo
La Liga
May 23, 2015 at 5.30pm UK
 

2-2

Messi (5', 59')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Perez (67'), Salomao (76')

Deportivo La Coruna defy the odds and achieve survival with Barca fightback

Deportivo recover from a two-goal deficit at Barcelona to dramatically win their relegation battle on a thrilling final day of the La Liga season.

Deportivo La Coruna came from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Barcelona and earn the point that keeps them in La Liga on a dramatic final day of the season at Camp Nou.

Lionel Messi's double, coupled with Eibar's 3-0 win over Cordoba, had looked like condemning Victor Sanchez's men to life in the Segunda Division next term.

Deportivo's players celebrate a goal during the Spanish league football match FC Barcelona vs RC Deportivo La Coruna at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on May 23, 2015© Getty Images

However, the visitors hit back through Lucas Perez and Diogo Salomao in the final 25 minutes to seal a point and preserve their top-flight status due to a superior head-to-head record over Eibar.

Only six minutes elapsed before the newly-crowned La Liga champions moved ahead on their coronation, having wrapped up the title with a 1-0 win at Atletico Madrid last weekend.

Rafinha justified his inclusion in the first XI by clipping a wonderful cross for Lionel Messi to nod a rare header past Fabricio.

The Catalans were celebrating again shortly after, but Messi's second was ruled out for offside in a setback that did little to dampen the hosts' spirit.

Rafinha justified his inclusion in the first XI by clipping a wonderful cross for Messi to nod past Fabricio with a rare header.

The Catalans were celebrating again shortly after, but the Argentine's second was ruled out for offside in a setback that did little to dampen their spirit.

The relentless attacking continued and Deportivo have Fabricio to thank for keeping them in the game, as the Spaniard denied Messi and then Pedro from the rebound as the visitors survived without further damage before the break.

With finals in the Copa del Rey and Champions League on the horizon, Barca's tempo dropped considerably as Luis Enrique's side slowed down in their approach.

However, Messi seemed to consign Deportivo to the drop on 59 minutes, tapping home from close range after Neymar's unselfish pass.

Xavi Hernandez of FC Barcelona applauds as he leaves the pitch during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and RC Deportivo La Coruna at Camp Nou on May 23, 2015© Getty Images

Perez threw Deportivo the slimmest of lifelines by swivelling on the edge of the area and placing a fine effort beyond the reach of league debutant Jordi Masip on 67 minutes.

Haris Medunjanin came within millimetres of grabbing the point needed to retain his side's Liga status, but his effort rattled off the crossbar.

Their patience paid off, however, when Salomao hammered into the far corner past Masip, after Medunjanin's free kick was blocked, to bring the Turks back from the dead and keep them in the division.

ID:224474: cacheID:224474:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5933:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Barcelona players celebrate at the Vicente Calderon after beating Atletico Madrid 1-0 to clinch the 2014-15 La Liga title on May 17, 2015
Read Next:
Preview: Barcelona vs. Deportivo La Coruna
>
rhs 2.0
Euro 2024 fixtures header
Saturday, June 29
 
8pm
Sunday, June 30
 
5pm
 
8pm
Monday, July 1
 
5pm
 
8pm
Tuesday, July 2
 
5pm
 
8pm
Friday, July 5
Saturday, July 6
Tuesday, July 9
Wednesday, July 10
Sunday, July 14
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!