Spanish champions Barcelona not only dropped their first points of the season but also survived a scare as their match against Girona ended in a 2-2 draw at the Camp Nou on Sunday.
Other than Barcelona trailing in the math, the clash would also be remembered for the physicality as a total of 10 cards-including a red was fisher out by the referees.
Lionel Messi gave Barcelona the early lead in the 19th minute but Cristhian Stuani’s brace in the 45th and 51st minutes after Clement Lenglet’s controversial red card made things really tough for the La Liga giants.
But veteran Spanish defender Gerard Pique’s timely strike in the 63rd minute ensured that they does not lose all three points and instead secured only one.
Tuesday’s emphatic 4-0 win over PSV Eindhoven made Ernesto Valverde opt for a rotation in the squad as he left defender Samuel Umtiti and mideo Philippe Countinho out of the starting XI.
Instead it was Arturo Vidal and Arthur who were handed their La Liga debuts and it was the latter who assisted Messi to score Barcelona’s first goal of the night.
But surprisingly, the visitors looked solid and almost levelled the scores through attacking midfielder Portu whose shot was met with a goal-line clearance by Pique.
Summer signing Lenglet was shown a red card after a decision by the VAR ruled that he had used his elbow on an opponent and with a man in the defence missing, Stuani stormed his way to a goal just before the break.
Despite Valverde introducing Umtiti on the pitch, Stuani, the former Middlesbrough sticker once again made his presence felt as he gave Girona the lead just six minutes later.
But Pique timely slotted in a header to prevent further damage as the contest ended in a 2-2 draw.
Earlier, VAR had come to the rescue of Real Madrid who clinched a 1-0 win over Espanyol at the Santiago Bernabeu. Marco Asensio’s 41st minute strike was reviewed following which the La Liga giants were awarded the goal which eventually guaranteed them three points.
Atletico Madrid, following a stuttering start to their La Liga campaign clinched a 2-0 win over Getafe on Saturday. An own goal in the 14th minute combined with a Thomas Lemar strike in the 60th minute helped Diego Simeone’s men win all three points.