Valencia vs Barcelona – La Liga as it happened
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Lionel Messi's equaliser earned off-colour Barcelona a point against Valencia after Ezequiel Garay had put the hosts in front. Re-live the action:
What time does it start?
Valencia vs Barcelona kicks off at 7:45pm (BST)
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on Eleven Sports 1, with coverage starting from 7:40pm. Eleven Sports subscribers can also watch the game via the online video player or the Eleven Sports app.
Highlights will be shown at midnight on the same channel.
It’s a big game for…
Nelson Semedo: The Portuguese right-back has struggled with life with the Catalan giants so far and his display against Spurs at Wembley was an example of that. He was overly cautious when attempting to support the visitors’ attack and looked defensively out of sorts, committing to ground too early for Kane’s goal and was very lucky to not gift a chance to Lucas Moura late on due to a lack of awareness.
Remember when…
Lionel Messi has struck up fruitful partnerships with many Barcelona forwards over the years, but his on-the-field connection with left-back Jordi Alba is something that has created its fair share of goals too. That was precisely the case in November last year, when the former Valencia left-back scored a stunning equaliser from Messi’s lofted pass after Rodrigo had opened the scoring for the hosts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwTXwL_IM2A
Player to watch…
Geoffrey Kondogbia: The Frenchman ran the show in the Champions League this week against a lacklustre Manchester United midfield, alongside the more diminutive Parejo. Nevertheless he will face a much sterner test when he battles it out with Sergio Busquets on Sunday night. He may also have the best chance in the Valencia side of stopping Lionel Messi due to his ability to come from nowhere and win the ball, and therefore a lot of Valencia’s success in both boxes will come down to the former Monaco man.
Past three-meetings…
Barcelona 2 (Suarez, Umtiti) Valencia 1 (Parejo pen), La Liga, April 2018
Valencia 0 Barcelona 2 (Coutinho, Rakitic), Copa del Rey, February 2018
Barcelona 1 (Suarez) Valencia 0, Copa del Rey, February 2018
Odds…
Valencia to win: 19/5
Barcelona to win: 8/13
Draw: 3/1
(Odds provided by 888 Sport)
PSG 4-0 Lyon
68 minutes
Mbappe and PSG are running riot here. Lyon can't deal with their pace on the break and the score could get embarrassing.
Full time: Valencia 1-1 Barcelona
That's full time at the Mestalla. Valencia hold Barcelona to a draw, so Ernesto Valverde's side miss out on the chance to return to the top of the table. Sevilla currently sit in first in what is emerging as an unusually open title race.
It's another disappointing night for Barcelona, while Valencia, despite recording their sixth draw of the season, will be pleased with their performance.
GOAL! This is getting ridiculous. Mbappe, again! The ball falls to him nicely on the penalty spot, and he converts his fourth of the night.
PSG 5-0 Lyon
75 minutes
This has been an emphatic second half performance. PSG have ruthlessly taken the game away from Lyon, who appear shell shocked by it all.
PSG 5-0 Lyon
81 minutes
Unfortunate for Memphis Depay, who hits a lovely looping shot only to be denied by a superb Gigi Buffon save. He's still got it.
PSG 5-0 Lyon
85 minutes
This game, understandably, has lost most of its tempo. PSG are content to hold possession, and seem to acknowledge that any more punishment of Lyon would be cruel. The visitors have tired badly in the second half.
Full time: PSG 5-0 Lyon
The referee decides not to add on any time at the end, and Lyon are put out of their misery. Mbappe's brilliance - he scored four goals in 13 second half minutes - proved too much for the away side.
For PSG, it's yet another win and a Ligue 1 record: nine victories from nine. They're already eight points clear at the top.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments