Luis Suárez scores in opening minute, Bravo follows with penalty stop
Messi scores 400th career goal on a breakaway on game's final play .
It was one of those gorgeous, sun-soaked Mediterranean afternoons. The temperature was just right, neither a tad too cool nor a tad too warm. The fans filed in early to stroll around the grounds, perhaps to buy a souvenir or just do some people watching. Inside the stadium an hour before kick off the seats were already sprinkled with supporters eager soak up the rays. An occasional breeze and the faint sound of a vuvuzela could be sensed. Players from both sides ambled out to loosen up on the alternating thick bands of tea and forest green turf that is the Camp Nou pitch. The final countdown to Saturday afternoon’s main event was football heaven.
The game itself was just as heavenly, a thrilling end-to-end affair for all 90 minutes, even if the biggest plays of the day—a first-minute Luis Suárez goal, immediately followed by a saved penalty kick by Claudio Bravo, and a record-breaking 400th career goal by Leo Messi—came at the very beginning and at the very end. While Valencia put in a back-breaking effort in between, it wasn’t enough to slow down FC Barcelona, which secured a 2–0 victory at Camp Nou. The win puts Barça five points clear at the top of the league table, pending Real Madrid’s home match with Málaga later on Saturday evening.
Early drama
When the match started, though, those who had taken their seats were quickly drawn forward. In the very first minute, on FC Barcelona’s first attack of the game, Suárez put Barça up, much to the delight of the home crowd. Messi collected a pass just across midfield, looked up, and darted in towards the Valencia penalty area, drawing a pair of defenders. When he looked up he saw Suárez darting in from the right. Messi dished off smoothly to Suárez, who one-timed past Valencia goalkeeper Diego Alves for an early-bird goal.
After that, things only got more fired up. Three minutes later Rodrigo Moreno just missed pulling one back. Then, in the ninth minute, with Rodrigo threatening again, Barça’s Gerard Piqué was ruled to have fouled Rodrigo in the area and the referee pointed to the spot. Valencia captain Dani Parejo stepped up and fired low and to the left. But Bravo guessed correctly and pounced, smothering the ball to preserve the early lead.
It was a scintillating first 20 minutes that saw the visitors—relentlessly fighting for a coveted spot in theUEFA Champions League—go after every contested ball with hustle and gusto.
Paco Alcácer had chances on 33 and 39 minutes, but hit the post and, six minutes after, sent a wide-open shot just wide. The most dangerous blaugrana chance came with five minutes to play in the first half when Messi one-timed just wide from the doorstep.
Parting gift
After the break the pace backed off, but only slightly. Messi—still looking to score his 400th career goal and make progress in the race for the pichichi—hit the crossbar on a 25-metre free kick at the 64-minute mark. Bravo made a diving stop on Rodrigo in the 75th when the Valencia striker enjoyed an open look following a pinball-esque sequence in the Barça area.
Saturday's attendance of 92,915 gave Camp Nou its second biggest crowd of the season and had been treated to wonderful display of attacking football by both sides. The sideline referee held aloft the digital sign indicating three minutes of stoppage time. The fans didn’t know it, but their parting gift had yet to come.
With Valencia taking their last gasps to try and restore equilibrium to the scoreboard, Barça were standing tall in their defensive end. The cheers became louder as the final minute of stoppage time ticked away and, with one final defensive stop, victory was at the doorstep. But it ended in unexpected, record-breaking fashion as Messi collected the final booming clearance near midfield and raced out on a breakaway with the referee—whistle in mouth—struggling to keep up. Messi’s first attempt was stopped by Diego Alves, but the Argentinian regrouped and tapped it in for goal number 400. Another win, another milestone.
