Barcelona continued its poor performances in the New Year after it was unable to win in the second match in a row in all competitions following a draw with the host Villarreal 1-1 during the game that brought them together in the 17th round of the Spanish football league.
Villarreal vs Barcelona 1-1 – All Goals & Extended Highlights – La Liga
This round witnessed Celta Vigo beating Malacca 3-1 at home to Real Betis Leganes two goals without reply. Athletic Bilbao tied with Deportivo Alavés without goals.
Villarreal took the lead when Nicola Sansone (50 goals to date in this league) before Lionel Messi equalised for Barcelona in the final minute of regulation time of the match.
Villarreal ended the match with ten men after the expulsion of Jaume Costa in the fourth minute of stoppage time wasted.
Barcelona went straight down with 35 points to the third place, as Villarreal tally to 30 points in fifth place.
Barcelona began the New Year with a loss from Atletico Bilbao 1-2 in the first leg of the 16th round the king of Spain Cup which was held last Thursday.
In the fourth game, Atletico Bilbao were held to a goalless draw at home to Deportivo Alavés. Bilbao and raise the tally to 27 points in seventh place, compared to 22 points for Alavés, who came to the centre 12 in the standings.
