Valencia 1-1 Barcelona: Guillamon equaliser sees Champions drop more points in title race

Valencia fought back to earn a 1-1 draw at home against Barcelona in LaLiga on Saturday, a result that will do nothing to relieve the pressure on Xavi Hernandez's side, who have gone winless in their last three games in all competitions.

Barcelona appeared nervous and erratic despite dominating the ball, having traveled to Valencia after two defeats in four days - a 4-2 home loss to LaLiga leaders and local rivals Girona on Sunday followed by a 3-2 Champions League defeat at Group H bottom side Antwerp on Wednesday.

But Barcelona met an almost impenetrable barrier in Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who made a string of spectacular saves to keep the visitors at bay.

Striker Robert Lewandowski was frequently frustrated up front, not only by Mamardashvili, who made two brilliant point-blank reflex saves to deny the Polish striker, but also by his own play, misfiring three times from close range in the first half.

Valencia held out as well as they could after the break, with the Georgian goalkeeper making another incredible one-on-one save against substitute Ferran Torres.

In the 55th minute, Joao Felix broke the deadlock with a close-range strike, tapping in from a Raphinha cross.

Valencia, on the other hand, took advantage of the opportunity and equalized 15 minutes later with a brilliant curling shot from the edge of the box by Hugo Guillamon into the top left corner.

Barca made a late push for a winner, but Mamardashvili made two more saves to keep the locals in the game.

Barcelona are third in LaLiga with 35 points, four behind second-placed Real Madrid and six behind leaders Girona, both of whom have a game in hand.

SportsLigue