Barcelona beaten at home by Valencia

Liga leaders FC Barcelona have suffered only their second defeat of the campaign after succumbing 3-2 at home to Valencia CF in an event-filled match.

Starting the day ahead of Club Atlético de Madrid on goal difference and a point clear of Real Madrid CF, Barcelona hoped to open up a three-point gap before their rivals' respective games on Sunday. They made a strong start too, opening the scoring through Alexis Sánchez after just seven minutes.

Valencia responded when Daniel Parejo pounced on a defensive lapse moments before half-time, however, and Pablo Piatti headed them into the lead shortly after the restart. Lionel Messi levelled the scores from the penalty spot, but 20-year-old Paco Alcácer lashed in the decisive blow close to the hour mark, with Barça's hopes of hitting back hindered by Jordi Alba's 78th-minute dismissal.

Victory lifted Valencia up to eighth ahead of Levante UD, who could only draw 0-0 at home to second-bottom Rayo Vallecano de Madrid, and that was also the scoreline in the meeting between Getafe CF and Real Valladolid CF. In the late game, Málaga CF fought back from 2-1 down to beat seventh-placed Sevilla FC 3-2, Samu and two-goal Duda on target for the Boquerones.