Barça leave it late to overcome Granada
Saturday, September 22, 2012
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FC Barcelona needed an 87th-minute stunner from Xavi Hernández and an added-time own goal to break down a resilient Granada CF inspired by the heroics of goalkeeper Antonio Toño.
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FC Barcelona scored twice late on to overcome a stubborn Granada CF side inspired by goalkeeper Antonio Toño.
Granada went into the match without a win this season, but excellent defensive organisation kept them level at the break, after which they relied on the reflexes of Toño, who made a string of stunning saves to keep the hosts at bay.
The visitors looked set to earn a point, but substitute Xavi Hernández broke the deadlock in style, crashing a volley in off the bar three minutes from time. A broken Granada conceded a second in added time as Borja Gómez turned Lionel Messi's cross into his own goal.
Elsewhere, Real Betis Balompié got their third win of the fledgling campaign, as Paulão's 18th-minute strike proved sufficient to sink an RCD Espanyol team who had midfielder Wakaso Mubarak sent off on 66 minutes. CA Osasuna still await their first victory after a 3-1 defeat at Real Zaragoza, new signing Apoño capping the win with a second goal of the season. RC Celta de Vigo overcame ten-man Getafe CF 2-1.
