Barcelona had already secured the LaLiga title but aimed to finish near 100 points. Valencia spoiled the celebration with a 3-1 win, overturning Barcelona’s mid-way second-half lead. Early chances fell to both sides, including shots from Marcus Rashford and headers from Hugo Duro, while Alejandro Balde and Robert Lewandowski tested the goal before the break. Lewandowski scored for Barcelona on the hour with a low left-footed finish. Valencia then took control with goals from Javi Guerra and Luis Rioja within five minutes, followed by a third from Guido Rodriguez in stoppage time. Valencia’s win still left them missing European qualification, finishing in the top half.
"Barcelona had confirmed their status as champions weeks ago but were looking to finish the campaign just three shy of the 100 point mark. As it turned out, their hosts were in the mood to spoil the party and the Catalan club had to settle for defeat despite taking the lead mid-way through the second half."
"But the Polish striker would not be denied for too long. On the hour mark, Lewandowski, playing in his final game for Barca, got his name on the scoresheet with a low left-footed finish into the corner. Momentum shifted almost instantly when a fine Javi Guerra strike and a neat finish from Luis Rioja turned the tie on its head in the space of five minutes."
"Guido Rodriguez added a third deep into stoppage time to ensure a memorable win over the champions. The result, however, would prove to be bittersweet. Results elsewhere meant that Valencia missed out on a European place - instead having to settle for top-half finish only."
"Both sides had chances early on, with Marcus Rashford - who was confirmed in England's World Cup squad this week - firing off-target after five minutes before Hugo Duro headed over from Diego Lopez's delivery. Alejandro Balde then went close after being slipped in by Dani Olmo, but the effort flashed wide of the mark. Flick's men came even closer to breaking the deadlock just before the break when Robert Lewandowski saw his header crash against the post from Rashford's delivery."
Read at 101GREATGOALS.COM
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