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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
CReal Madrid36296183226193
2Barcelona36247574433179
3GironaGirona36236775453075
4Atletico MadridAtletico36234967392873
5Athletic Bilbao361711858372162
6Real Sociedad361512949371257
7Real BetisBetis36141484843556
8Villarreal36149136060051
9Valencia36139143740-348
10Getafe361013134151-1043
11AlavesAlaves36119163445-1142
12Sevilla361011154750-341
13Osasuna36118174054-1441
14Las PalmasLas Palmas36108183246-1438
15Rayo Vallecano36814142944-1538
16Celta Vigo36910174254-1237
17Mallorca36715142941-1236
18CadizCadiz36614162549-2432
RGranada3649233770-3321
RAlmeria36211233572-3717


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