MX23RW : Thursday, July 4 21:36:48| >> :120:17748:17748:
Granada logo
La Liga
Feb 16, 2013 at 7pm UK
 
Barcelona logo

1-2

Ighalo (26')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Messi (50', 73')

Match Analysis: Granada 1-2 Barcelona

Match Analysis: Granada 1-2 Barcelona
© AP Photos
Sports Mole dissects the action as Barcelona record a 2-1 win over Granada on Saturday.

Lionel Messi scored twice as Barcelona came from behind to record a 2-1 win over Granada on Saturday.

The home side were ahead after 26 minutes when Odion Ighalo converted from close range, with that score still standing at the interval.

Barcelona were level moments into the second period, however, when Messi pounced on a loose ball to fire his 300th league goal for the club.

The away side continued to push in the latter stages, with the winner eventually coming from Messi 17 minutes from time.

Here, Sports Mole dissects the 90 minutes of action between the two sides.

Match statistics:

Granada:
Shots: 6
On target: 5
Possession: 26%
Corners: 1
Fouls: 15

Barcelona:
Shots: 17
On target: 6
Possession: 74%
Corners: 1
Fouls: 13

Was the result fair?

On the balance of play, it is difficult to argue that Barcelona did not deserve to pick up the three points. Granada took a lead into the interval, but they had to ride their luck for large periods. Messi scored at just the right time in the second period and it was a struggle from that moment. That said, Granada did have chances to score in the latter stages.

Granada's performance

Having won back-to-back matches in the league, Granada entered the match full of confidence. After all, they had recently beaten Real Madrid on their own patch. They took the lead after 26 minutes, but they were lucky to enter the break in the lead. They will take plenty of positives from their performance, but they ultimately leave with nothing.

Barcelona's performance

The Catalan outfit were not at their clinical best this evening, but they still came away with the three points. The fact that they had 17 attempts tells you everything you need to know about their attacking threat. They needed a wonder strike from Messi to claim the victory, but you always felt that the goal would come.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Odion Ighalo: The 23-year-old was in fine form this evening as he opened the scoring in the first period. Even when Granada were under pressure in the second period, the Nigerian was always a threat with his pace and power. I suspect that his performance would have attracted the interest of a few scouts.

Biggest gaffe of the match

With Barcelona trailing in the latter stages of the first half, they were awarded a free kick just outside their own penalty area. Thiago decided to take it quickly, but presented the ball straight to Carlos Aranda. Luckily for the Spaniard, Victor Valdes was on hand to make a smart save.

Referee performance

Carlos Del Cerro had a fairly productive 90 minutes of football this evening. He was perhaps lenient in the first period when Gabriel Torje felled Pedro outside the box, awarding the Granada midfielder a yellow rather than a red. Aside from that, neither team will have had many complaints.

What next?

Granada: Granada will attempt to return to winning ways when they travel to struggling Celta Vigo in the league next Sunday.

Barcelona: The Catalan outfit are in Champions League action against AC Milan on Wednesday before returning to league action at home to Sevilla next Saturday.

ID:69690: cacheID:69690:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5395:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Barcelona players are dejected on the pitch following a late goal and a loss against Real Sociedad on January 19, 2013
Read Next:
Half-Time Report: Granada lead Barca
>
rhs 2.0
Euro 2024 fixtures header
Friday, July 5
 
5pm
Quarter-Finals
Spain
vs.
Germany
 
8pm
Quarter-Finals
Portugal
vs.
France
Saturday, July 6
 
5pm
 
8pm
Tuesday, July 9
Wednesday, July 10
Sunday, July 14
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!