- Eibar vs Barcelona saw La Liga Champions Barca play out a 2-2 draw with the home-side on the final day of the season
- Marc Cucurella opened scores for Eibar after 20 minutes, but Lionel Messi levelled scores after 30 minutes and scored his second goal moments later
- The hosts equalised before half-time through Pablo De Blasis volley from 25 yards
Lionel Messi netted a brace as Eibar battled Barcelona to a 2-2 draw in the last La Liga clash of the season on Sunday, May 19, at Ipurua Municipal Stadium.
The encounter saw Barcelona field a tough squad that saw the likes of Nelson Semedo and Clement Lenglet to the starting XI, with Eibar binging on Gonzalo Escalante and Charles lined up, with the urge to end the campaign on a winning note.
The home-side had the first through chance to net the opener after 15 minutes, but Sergi Enrich poor effort could not get past Cillessen, off a decent cross from Marc Cucurella.
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In the 20th minute, Cucurella’s fired Eibar into the lead after his strike proved too strong for Cillessen, who could not stop the ball from crossing the line.
However, Messi levelled scores for Barca after 31 minutes, with the Argentine playmaker at the end of Arturo Vidal pass beat Eibar’s shot-stopper Marko Dmitrovic from inside the box.
In the 32nd minute, Messi completed his brace after a decent run into the box to chip over the advancing Dmitrovic, but Eibar fought back to equalize in the final minute with a well-executed volley from outside the box through Pablo de Blasis.
In the second half, the La Liga champions replaced Semedo with Senegalese star Moussa Wague, but Eibar were busy asking the questions.
Barca will have Cillessen to thank after a decent save in the 52nd minute from Enrich’s first time shot.
In the other end, Dmitrovic was spot on to deny Gerard Pique from finding the bottom corner from a tight angle, to keep the Gunsmiths in the contest with 29 minutes left on the clock.
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Interestingly, the Jose Luis Mendilibar tutored-side had a decent chance to claim the winner through Cucurella in the final 10 minutes, but his effort missed target.
Barca made last effort to claim the win in the closing moments, but the home-side held on to see out the game, with scores remaining 2-2 at the blast of the referee’s final whistle.
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Messi has been awarded with the Creu de Sant Jordi award which is the St. George's Cross in a ceremony held on Thursday, May 16.
The award recognizes individuals and institutions who have served Catalonia and the protection of the region's identity.
According to Barca Blaugranes, 28 individuals and 15 organisations are handed the award every year for outstanding services to the region.
The Argentina international received the award directly from Catalonia president Torra and was described as the greatest footballer of all time.
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Source: Legit Nigeria
