Celta Vigo had 11 players behind the ball as Lionel Messi set up for a free kick just outside the box. Everyone expected the Argentine to shoot. Instead he picked out Luis Suarez with a pinpoint assist. Despite the impressive Messi assist to Suarez, however, Celta Vigo nicked a 2-2 draw to further hamper Barcelona’s title hopes on Saturday.
The Blaugrana looked strong for much of the match, especially when Messi set up a go-ahead goal in the 20th minute.
The Messi assist to Suarez caught everyone but the Uruguayan by surprise. The Barcelona No. 10 saw no direct path to goal with a shot as Celta Vigo defended en masse, but still found a way to break down the defense.
GOAL BARCELONA! #Messi crosses it and #LuisSuárez heads it in with an interesting free-kick tactic #CeltaBarça pic.twitter.com/AuDFzdPWNq
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) June 27, 2020
But Celta Vigo struck back, equalizing five minutes into the second half when Fedor Smolov finished off a quick counterattack.
Celta ties it up #Smolov puts it in the back of the net after a great #OkayYokuşlu pass
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) June 27, 2020
Suarez restored Barcelona’s lead in the 67th minute with an expert turn and shot for his second of the game.
Goal #LuisSuárez ‘El Pistolero’ puts #Barcelona ahead again with a left-footed shot
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) June 27, 2020
But Iago Aspas earned his side a 2-2 draw with a remarkable free kick, bending a low shot around the outside of the wall to beat Marc-André ter Stegen at his near post in the 88th minute.
#IagoAspas ties it up with a stunning goal Huge goal for #Celta in the final minutes of the game
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) June 27, 2020
The draw meant Barcelona moved to one point ahead of Real Madrid, which plays Espanyol on Sunday and will retake the LaLiga lead with a win or draw.
