Barcelona returned to the top of La Liga after a stunning stoppage-time winner from Robert Lewandowski.
In the 94th minute, the Polish striker fully extended himself to meet Raphinha’s cross and score his 13th goal of the campaign.
Before the break, Lewandowski came within inches of scoring when his header struck the post.
After the halftime, Lino of Valencia had a goal disallowed for handball; as a result, Barcelona moved ahead of Real Madrid before their match on Sunday.
Following a midweek 3-0 loss to Bayern Munich, Barca’s Champions League campaign was over before the group stage was complete.
Their lone La Liga loss came at the hands of Real Madrid, and even if their valiant victory at the Mestalla has moved them to the top, it is only by virtue of goal differential, since Real will face struggling Girona less than 24 hours from now.
Valencia could have gone into the interval ahead after playing second fiddle for the whole of the first half, but defender Gabriel missed Barca’s goal with a free header.
Raphinha, a former Leeds United midfielder, chipped in a cross that Lewandowski stretched out a foot to meet, giving Barcelona their 10th league victory of the year as the home team grew weary later in the second half.
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