Barcelona cut Real Madrid’s lead at the top of La Liga to one point when in-form forward Luis Suarez played a part in all three of their goals in a scrappy 3-1 victory at Granada yesterday.
Barca struggled to find their rhythm in the early stages at the Nuevo Los Carmenes stadium but took the lead in the 25th minute when Ivan Rakitic smashed the ball in from close range after Granada defender Cala failed to clear a Suarez centre.
Lionel Messi twice went close before Suarez ran on to a chipped Rakitic pass and slipped the ball past home goalkeeper Oier to make it 2-0 three minutes into the second half.
Barca appeared to be cruising against their second from bottom opponents but Granada pulled a goal back five minutes later when Marc Bartra felled Lassane Bangoura in the penalty area and Fran Rico stroked the spot kick past Claudio Bravo.
Suarez proved too much for the hosts though and he sped clear in the 70th minute and unselfishly set up Messi to find the empty net.
Primera Liga
Granada vs Barcelona 1-3; R. Vallecano vs Levante 4-2; Almeria vs Deportivo 0-0; Malaga vs Getafe 3-2.
Today: 12.00 Valencia vs R. Sociedad. 17.00 Eibar vs A. Bilbao. 19.00 Sevilla vs Atletico Madrid. 21.00 Real Madrid vs Villarreal.
Tomorrow: 20.45 Celta Vigo vs Elche.
Leading standings: R. Madrid 60; Barcelona 59; Atl. Madrid 53; Valencia 50; Sevilla 45; Villarreal 44.