The Argentine curled a 90th minute equaliser to earn the Catalan side a point following Nicola Sanson’s opener for the hosts
Lionel Messi rescued a point for Barcelona with a late free-kick in a 1-1 draw at Villarreal on Sunday, although the Catalans’ failure to win dealt their pursuit of LaLiga leaders Real Madrid a further blow.
Barca got 2017 off to a losing start thanks to a 2-1 Copa del Rey defeat to Athletic Bilbao and they were unable to chalk up their first win of the year at the renamed Estadio de la Ceramica.
Despite dominating possession in the opening period, Barca reached half-time with the scoreline goalless for the fifth time in six league matches.
And Nicola Sansone scored the game’s opening goal after 49 minutes, capping a rapid Villarreal counter-attack.
A trio of penalty appeals – two for Barca and one for Villarreal – were ignored before a free-kick on the edge of the box opened the door for Messi to snatch a share of the spoils.
And the Argentina international, who had earlier hit the post, wrong-footed goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo as he fired into the top left-hand corner.
Villarreal’s Jaume Costa was sent off in stoppage time for a second yellow card as their hopes of entering the Champions League qualification spots were scuppered.
The result leaves third-placed Barcelona five points adrift of Madrid, who have a game in hand.
Ivan Rakitic was absent from the Barcelona squad amid rumours of interest from Manchester City, although the club earlier insisted the Croatian’s omission was for “technical reasons”.
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