MX23RW : Friday, June 4 19:42:51| >> :60:2482:2482:

Result: Barcelona stunned by Celta Vigo to fall to second La Liga defeat

Joaquin Larrivey's second-half strike sends Barcelona to their second successive La Liga defeat as Celta Vigo claim a shock 1-0 victory at the Camp Nou.

Celta Vigo have defeated Barcelona 1-0 at the Camp Nou to send the Catalan club to their second successive defeat in La Liga.

Neymar wasted a couple of openings to put the hosts ahead early on, failing to control Luis Suarez's pass into the box before heading straight into the hands of man-of-the-match Sergio Alvarez from close range minutes later.

The Brazilian forward was involved again shortly after when his curling effort from range came back off the crossbar, as Barca continued to probe for an opening goal.

Celta Vigo's players celebrate after scoring during the Spanish league football match FC Barcelona vs RC Celta de Vigo at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on November 1, 2014© Getty Images

Celta proved a threat on occasions, particularly on the half-hour mark when Pablo Hernandez met a corner inside the box, although his headed attempt was straight at Claudio Bravo.

Lionel Messi, closing in on becoming La Liga's record goalscorer, was denied by Alvarez after being picked out by Neymar, shortly before driving into the Celta box and striking the crossbar with a deflected effort.

Barcelona saw two more chances come and go before the interval, with Messi heading over a decent Suarez cross into the box, while the former Liverpool man could not get the better of Alvarez at the end of his run.

Luis Enrique, who was managing Celta Vigo this time last year, sent his side out fired up, and it almost paid dividends when Neymar struck the crossbar shortly after the restart.

Despite all the Barcelona chances, it was Celta who edged ahead shortly before the hour courtesy of Joaquin Larrivey, who found the bottom corner after being picked out by strike partner Nolito.

The pacesetters created a number of opportunities in the remainder of the game, but could not convert.

Suarez could not quite divert Messi's free kick into the back of the net, while Alvarez kept out Messi and Suarez once more in impressive fashion.

Substitute Charles could have put the game beyond the hosts, only to head his close-range effort over the crossbar 10 minutes from time.

Messi was to strike the bar yet again - the fourth occasion that the Catalan giants had been denied by the frame of the goal - which signalled the end of Barcelona's hopes of salvaging a point.

The defeat sees them drop to third in the La Liga table, while Celta tighten their hold on a Europa League place.

ID:185945: cacheID:185945:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4972:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Luis Suarez of FC Barcelona looks on during the Joan Gamper Trophy match between FC Barcelona and Club Leon at Camp Nou on August 18, 2014
Read Next:
Half-Time Report: Barcelona unable to break down Celta
>

rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CAtletico MadridAtletico38268467254286
2Real Madrid38259467283984
3Barcelona38247785384779
4Sevilla38245953332077
5Real Sociedad3817111059382162
6Real Betis381710115050061
7Villarreal3815131060441658
8Celta Vigo381411135557-253
9Granada38137184765-1846
10Athletic Bilbao381113144642446
11Osasuna381111163748-1144
12CadizCadiz381111163658-2244
13Valencia381013155053-343
14Levante38914154657-1141
15Getafe38911182843-1538
16AlavesAlaves38911183657-2138
17ElcheElche38812183455-2136
RHuesca38713183453-1934
RReal Valladolid38516173457-2331
REibarEibar38612202952-2330

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!