Barcelona continue to set the pace at the top of La Liga following a spirited, come from behind victory at Getafe on Saturday. A wonder goal from Gaku Shibasaki gave Azulones a shock lead, but second half strikes from Denis Suarez and Paulinho maintained Barcelona’s perfect start to the season after four matches.
While Barcelona eventually wrested the three points from Getafe, the match will perhaps be best remembered for Shibasaki’s thunderous strike in the 39th minute. The Japanese international rifled home a volley from the top of the box to put his side ahead in real style.
¡GOLAZOOO! El japonés, Gaku Shibasaki de volea pone a ganar al @GetafeCF en su casa - ante el @FCBarcelona_es #GetafeBarça pic.twitter.com/GMTJMcvUet
— beIN SPORTS Español (@ESbeINSPORTS) September 16, 2017
Barcelona looked to have equalized after Lionel Messi struck a sublime free kick, but Vicente Guaita somehow managed to claw the effort out and onto the bar.
Magnífico tiro libre de Leo Messi al ángulo y magnífica atajada de Vicente Guaita - #GetafeBarça pic.twitter.com/5Z5LbyHrvP
— beIN SPORTS Español (@ESbeINSPORTS) September 16, 2017
Barcelona characteristically dominated possession but they couldn’t find their breakthrough until the 62nd minute. Denis Suarez, on for Andres Iniesta at halftime, dispatched a fantastic effort to get Barca back into the match.
¡GOLAZO! @SergiRoberto10 encuentra a @DenisSuarez6 y el pontevedrés empata el partido - #GetafeBarça pic.twitter.com/71fIWF7fnN
— beIN SPORTS Español (@ESbeINSPORTS) September 16, 2017
It was another substitute that completed the turnaround. Paulinho, subbed on for Ivan Rakitic in the 77th minute, scored only seven minutes after coming on. Getafe failed to follow his run through the midfield and the Brazilian made no mistake with an emphatic finish.
¡GOOOOL! @paulinhop8 salva al @FCBarcelona_es marcando el - en los últimos minutos #GetafeBarça ¿€40 millones bien invertidos? pic.twitter.com/dyUOmlj6I1
— beIN SPORTS Español (@ESbeINSPORTS) September 16, 2017
The only real negative on the day for Barcelona was Ousmane Dembele suffering a hamstring injury as early as the 29th minute, forcing him off on his first league start for the Catalan side.
Barcelona return to action quickly with a midweek match against Eibar.