Barcelona secured a 2-1 win over Malaga on Saturday afternoon as Lionel Messi scored the winning goal for the Catalan giants in the second half.
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The game couldn’t have started any better for the visitors as Munir El Haddadi scored in the opening minute to give them the lead.
However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing for Luis Enrique’s side as they were put under significant pressure in the opening 45 minutes with the hosts getting their deserved equaliser through Arnor Juanpi.
Both sides went close thereafter and Malaga will certainly feel as though they did enough to earn a share of the spoils, but they were denied by the La Liga leaders with Messi rescuing them as he so often does.
The Argentine met Adriano’s cross with a perfect volley after judging the flight of the ball brilliantly. and the visitors were able to hold firm to leapfrog Atletico Madrid in the standings for the time being.
Diego Simeone’s side will have the chance to go back top when they face Sevilla on Sunday, but Barcelona will be delighted with picking up three points on a difficult afternoon in Malaga.
Barcelona player ratings: Bravo 7; Aleix 6, Vermaelen 6, Mascherano 6, Adriano 7; Busquets 7, Iniesta 6, Arda 6; Messi 8, Suárez 6, Munir 7.
Substitutes: Mathieu 6, Roberto 6, Rakitic 6.
SEE MORE:
Lionel Messi scores sublime goal vs Malaga (video)
Juanpi bags equaliser for Malaga against Barcelona (video)
Munir breaks deadlock after minute vs Malaga (video)