Teenage star Lamine Yamal rescued a point for Barcelona in a thrilling 3-3 draw against LaLiga strugglers Granada.
Yamal, who earlier this season became the youngest goalscorer in the history of the competition against the same opposition, scored his second goal of the game 10 minutes from time to deny the visitors their first away win of the campaign.
The 16-year-old opened the scoring in the first half but Granada equalized through Ricardo Sanchez just before the break and Facundo Pellistri made it 2-1 on the hour before Robert Lewandowski equalized moments later.
A third goal in the space of six minutes from Ignasi Miquel restored Granada’s lead as they denied their lowly place in the table, only for Yamal to have the final say with a brilliant solo effort.
Yamal came close to setting up Lewandowski for the opener before breaking the deadlock himself seconds later when he volleyed home at the far post after Joao Cancelo’s cross.
Myrto Uzuni made a spectacular attempt to get Granada back on level terms but failed to head home in the 18th minute, but the resulting shot was blocked by Oscar Melendo.
Shortly before the break, the home side looked set to regain their lead when Ilkay Gundogan equalized with Lewandowski seemingly at mercy, but the 35-year-old’s shot was brilliantly cleared by Martin Hongla.
And Granada made the most of that respite in the 43rd minute when Pellistri drove to the touchline before pulling the ball back for Sanchez to finish past Marc-Andre ter Stegen for the first time.
Barcelona manager Xavi used his pre-match press conference to announce the “great news” that Ter Stegen was fit to play for the first time since November after back surgery, but the Germany international will be disappointed to be beaten at his near post. .
Pellistri and Sanchez continued to trouble Barca in the second half and it was no surprise that the former gave his side the lead on the hour mark.
Pau Cubarsi’s poor header from a promising center into the box fell perfectly for Uzuni to send the ball back across goal and give Pellistri the simple task of turning it into an empty net.
The lead lasted just two minutes before Lewandowski equalized from the edge of the box after a wonderful release from Gundogan, but Miquel then headed home Faitout Maouassa’s cross to stun the home crowd.
Fermin Lopez had a goal correctly ruled out for offside before Yamal had the final say, dispossessing Jose Callejon and curling a 25-yard shot into the bottom corner.
