Mallorca 2-2 Barcelona: Champions twice come from behind to rescue a point in Palma thanks to goals from Raphinha and second-half substitute Fermin Lopez… as Xavi’s side continue their undefeated start in LaLiga
- Barcelona starlet Fermin Lopez rescued a 2-2 draw against Mallorca on Tuesday
- Xavi’s side remained at the top of LaLiga after an undefeated start in the league
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A rare mistake from Marc Andre ter Stegen meant Barcelona slipped up on the island of Mallorca failing to win for the first time since the opening day of the season.
The hosts took the lead when Barcelona’s usually faultless keeper misplaced his pass out from the back to Oriol Romeu and it ran instead to Antoino Sanchez.
The Mallorca midfielder crossed towards Vedat Muriqi. The big Kosovo striker wasn’t found because Serio Araujo slid in but his clearance ran straight back to Sanchez who this time did find Muriqi who scored to make it 1-0.
Barcelona had chances to get back into the game but Ferran Torres failed to beat Predrag Rajkovic with one shot and the Mallorca keeper also managed to save a shot from Joao Felix.
He could not stop a rocket from Raphinha who scored after a diagonal run in from the right wing but the Mallorca keeper then set up the third goal of the night as the home team stunned Barcelona scoring with a three-touch move.
Rajkovic kicked down the pitch to Muriqi who flicked the ball on to Abdon Prats and he scored past Ter Stegen. The keeper will again have been disappointed coming out of his six-yard box and helping make the Mallorca strikers’ mind up for him.
Barcelona substitute Fermin Lopez (pictured celebrating with Joao Cancelo, above) scored a crucial second-half equaliser as his side drew 2-2 with Mallorca in Palma on Tuesday evening
Raphinha (above) equalised for the visitors just before the break – but Mallorca shortly found themselves back in front thanks to Abdon Prats’ strike in added time at the end of the first half
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The 2-2 draw was Mallorca’s third of the campaign – as the hosts climbed to 15th in LaLiga
Joao Felix hit the post but it was not his best night and he was taken off as Xavi turned to 16-year-old Yamine Lamal. The teenager thought he had won a penalty but the referee changed his mind after reviewing Copete’s lunge pitchside and seeing that no contact had been made.
Roberto Lewandowski was also on at this point and he was involved in the goal even though he never touched the ball. Yamal started the move and when Raphinha crossed from the right the Polish forward allowed it to run through his legs and Fermin Lopez scored to make it 2-2.
Barcelona had chances to win it but Lewandowski shot wide and had a header saved. And they were left relieved when Kyle Larin raced cleared on to a Sergi Darder pass but screwed his shot wide.
Barça must now wait to see how Girona and Real Madrid fare – a win for either would knock them off top spot.
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