XtraTime Web Desk: FC Barcelona gets shocked by La Liga minnows Leganes on Wednesday. Despite some late desperation by The Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde, it was not good enough to down the determined opposition.
Quickfire goals from Nabil El Zhar and Real Madrid loanee Oscar Rodriguez stunned Barcelona and handed Leganes a shock 2-1 LaLiga win.
Barca had gone in front through Philippe Coutinho’s fine 12th-minute touch and volley and looked in control until the home side struck in quick succession at a boisterous Butarque.
El Zhar set the turnaround in motion with a thumping back-post header soon after half-time and it was Rodriguez who capitalised on Gerard Pique’s dreadful error before Barca had been given time to take stock.
Ernesto Valverde introduced Luis Suarez, Malcom and Jordi Alba off the bench but it was to no avail as Leganes, who came into Wednesday’s clash bottom of the table, upset the form book in dramatic fashion.
Lionel Messi was making his 700th Barca appearance – including non-official matches – and his assist for Coutinho, who flicked the ball up and volleyed into the bottom-right corner from 20 yards, put the champions ahead.
The captain struck the angle of post and bar five minutes later as the visitors dominated the opening stages although Leganes did grow into the contest and saw Youssef En-Nesyri head a presentable chance straight at Marc-Andre ter Stegen late in the half.
Ter Stegen could do little about the equaliser seven minutes after the restart, though, as El Zhar planted Jonathan Silva’s looping cross into the net from close range.
And 68 seconds later Leganes were in front as Pique dispossessed En-Nesyri but, under little pressure, the defender could only stab the ball into the path of Rodriguez, who steered home for his first Leganes goal.
Barca were further frustrated 10 minutes from time as Ivan Cuellar pulled off a sensational double stop to deny Coutinho and Ivan Rakitic and secure a famous win – Leganes’ first over the Catalan giants.