Madrid: Barcelona were just eight minutes away from losing their unbeaten league record in the rain at rivals Espanyol when Gerard Pique headed in a Lionel Messi free-kick to earn them a point, Sunday.
There were puddles and protests as the rain came down for the full 90 minutes and the atmosphere between the local rivals turned ugly on the pitch with the late equaliser.
After a goalless first half, Gerard Moreno put Espanyol ahead in the 66th minute. Substitute Garcia picked up a loose ball before delivering a fantastic cross from the right into the area as a waiting Moreno headed home past Ter Stegen to score his 12th goal of the season.
However, Pique restored parity seven minutes from time and celebrated in front of Espanyol supporters who were already upset with the comments he made about the club earlier in the week. Reacting to the Spanish’s actions, Moreno then scythed him down off the ball and was lucky to see a yellow card.
Earlier Saturday, defending La Liga champions Real Madrid stay fourth in Liga standings after Giampaolo Pazzini helped Levante stun the Spanish giants with an 89th-minute equaliser, Saturday.
The veteran Italian forward broke through on goal and fired past Keylor Navas. Sergio Ramos, back from injury, opened the scoring with a header in the 11th minute from Toni Kroos’s corner, but Emmanuel Boateng restored parity shortly before half time when he slotted home from the edge of the area.
Isco looked to have earned Madrid the three points when he slammed home in the 81st minute but Pazzini had the final say.
