MATCH REPORT: Valencia CF claim point at Camp Nou (2-2)

Valencia CF claimed a 2-2 draw at the Camp Nou against FC Barcelona, following a great collective performance from Javi Gracia's men. Mouctar Diakhaby would open the scoring, and after Barça responded with goals from Leo Messi and Ronald Araujo, a Maxi Gómez equaliser meant that VCF came home with a point.

The early strategy was to defend solidly and look for counterattacks, and chances for Gonçalo Guedes, José Luis Gayà and Denis Cheryshev would put Barça's backline to the test.

The first goal of the contest arrived in the 29th minute, when Carlos Soler whipped in a corner and Diakhaby nodded past goalkeeper Marc-André Ter Stegen.

Having taken the lead, the team suffered a setback as Yunus Musah was taken off with an injury -Alex Blanco coming on in his place.

The final stretch of the first half saw Maxi Gómez nearly score Valencia CF's second with a header off Cheryshev's cross, kept out by Ter Stegen.

From there, a controversial penalty was given for an incident involving Barça's Antoine Griezmann: The referee would send off Gayà after the Frenchman went down inside the box, but downgraded the red card to a yellow upon consulting VAR.

Stepping up to the penalty spot was Messi, and Jaume Domènech produced a spectacular save to keep the ball out. However, FC Barcelona would level off the follow-up move by the Argentine, set up by Jordi Alba.

After the halftime break, Guedes provided a threat by breaking away from his marker, sending in a pass that Cheryshev would strike wide.

Barça's response was a scissor-kick shot by Araujo, handing them a 2-1 lead just when Valencia CF were close to going ahead themselves.

There was still time remaining, and the persistence of the players would have its reward on 68 minutes. Gayà was released by a Guedes pass, rushed onto the ball and centered for Gómez to put in the equaliser.

Valencia CF showed their grit and determination, and earned a point at one of the most difficult grounds in LaLiga. The 2-2 draw continues a run of 4 games unbeaten in all competitions.

FC Barcelona 2 vs. 2 Valencia CF

2. FC Barcelona: Ter Stegen, Sergiño Dest, Mingueza, Ronald Araújo, Jordi Alba, Busquets (Busquets, 46’) Pedri (Pjanic, 86’), Coutinho (Lenglet, 79’), Griezmann (Trincao, 72’), Braithwaite and Messi.

2. Valencia CF: Jaume Domènech, Wass, Gabriel Paulista, Diakhaby, Gayà, Racic, Carlos Soler, Yunus Musah (Álex Blanco, 24’), Cheryshev (Kang In, 90’), Guedes (Manu Vallejo, 87’) and Maxi Gómez.

Goals: 0-1 Diakhaby, 29’; 1-1 Messi, 45’, 2-1 Ronald Araújo, 52’; 2-2 Maxi Gómez, 68’.

Referee: Hernández Hernández. Yellow cards for Griezmann, Gayà, Álex Blanco, Mingueza, Jordi Alba and Lenglet.