Lionel Messi struck a late brace to give Barcelona a 2-1 win over 10-man Osasuna on Sunday that took them to the top of the Spanish La Liga table.
Barca appeared set for their first defeat under coach Tito Vilanova, who was sent from the dug-out for complaining to the referee midway through the second half, before Messi came to the rescue.
Osasuna was the scene of a Barca defeat last season that helped to turn the La Liga title race against them and they went behind this time after a 17th-minute goal from Joseba Llorente.
After the visitors missed a hatful of opportunities, the game appeared to be going against them, until Messi rose to the occasion with strikes after 75 and 80 minutes.
Osasuna’s Francisco Punal was red-carded by the referee for protesting about the Argentine’s first strike, as he felt he was offside.
Victory provisionally took Barcelona top of the early-season standings, above Rayo Vallecano on goal difference.
Barca now turn their attention to the second leg of the Spanish Super Cup on Thursday, when they face Real Madrid at the Bernabeu with a 3-2 lead.
Madrid play derby rivals Getafe later on Sunday.
Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes prevented Osasuna from taking the lead inside the first minute as he palmed away a close-range effort from Alvaro Cejudo, who had easily skipped past Gerard Pique.
Then, at the other end, Andres Fernandez got down well to claw away a shot from Alexis Sanchez.
Osasuna, who lost at Deportivo La Coruna last weekend, aimed to hustle Barca out of their stride but the Catalans began to find openings, with Andres Iniesta firing over and Cristian Tello hitting the post from 25 yards.
However, it was with the visitors in the ascendancy that Osasuna snatched the lead on the break.
Roland Lamah sent a deep cross from the left wing that found Llorente – on loan from Real Sociedad – and he squeezed the ball in at the far post.
Barcelona responded, with Tello forcing another save out of Fernandez and Iniesta blazed over with the goal gaping, but at the back they looked hesitant and uncertain.
Centre-backs Carles Puyol and Pique failed to communicate as Lamah bundled through and was denied by Valdes, before a follow-up strike from Llorente was charged down.
Messi and Iniesta failed to convert further chances before the break and then after the restart the game became cagey as Osasuna gave Barca little space to play in.
The game appeared to be going away from Barcelona but Messi popped up with two goals in the last 15 minutes to rescue them, first touching in a Sanchez cross and then finishing clinically with his left foot to condemn Osasuna.
Real Madrid are unbeaten in the Spanish Primera Division in 2012 after a stunning march towards last season’s league title, but they are searching for their first win of this campaign as they could only draw 1-1 at home to Valencia in their opening game.
Also on Sunday, Granada face Sevilla and Valencia entertain Deportivo.
They are the current leading soccer tipsters in this month competition. See also tipsters rankings.
![]() |
Villo06
posts a 1X2 tip on Estudiantes vs Botafogo 25 minutes ago |
![]() |
Villo06
posts a 1X2 tip on Inter vs Milan 33 minutes ago |
![]() |
Villo06
posts a 1X2 tip on FC Groningen vs Heracles Almelo 44 minutes ago |
![]() |
Villo06
posts a 1X2 tip on Celta de Vigo vs Villarreal 50 minutes ago |
![]() |
Villo06
posts a 1X2 tip on Al Duhail vs Al Gharafa 56 minutes ago |
![]() |
dangosaw
posts a Odd / Even tip on Tarrawanna Blueys vs Sydney United 1 hour and 1 minute ago |
![]() |
dangosaw
posts a Asian Handicap tip on Macarthur Rams vs NWS Spirit 1 hour and 1 minute ago |
![]() |
dangosaw
posts a Asian Handicap tip on Arncliffe Aurora vs Sydney Olympic 1 hour and 1 minute ago |
![]() |
Villo06
posts a 1X2 tip on Al Riyadh vs Al Fateh 1 hour and 1 minute ago |
![]() |
JoKAn
posts a Over / Under tip on West Armenia vs Pyunik 2 hours and 0 minutes ago |
Upcoming football matches with excellent head to head records over their opponents.
|
Sign in to view more football matches.
Football clubs who play better for their home games H2H.
|
Sign in to view more football matches.
Football clubs that play well for their away games.
|
Sign in to view more football matches.
Motivated teams after winning five matches in a row or they have maintained a ten-match unbeaten run. The bookmakers label them as favourites for a reason.
Teams in crisis after five consecutive defeats or they did not win their last ten football matches. You should avoid betting on these underdogs.
Teams having a draw in the last five matches.
Teams that have won all their home matches.
|
Sign in to view more football teams.
Teams that have not lost at home matches.
|
Sign in to view more football teams.
Teams that have not won at away matches.
|
Sign in to view more football teams.
This tipsters ranking is based on single picks excluding doubles and multi accumulators. For the full ranking click here.
Tipsters with consecutive winnings in their recent predictions.
Tipsters whom have lost a few matches in a row. Bad luck you call it.
Soccer Punter has helped me become better at forecasting games.
As a sport influencer/ myself forecasting winning games is critical to keeping followers happy and this platform has helped me achieve that.
thanks Soccer Punter
From as little as $1 per soccer tip.
|
Arbitrage is an effective way to make guaranteed profits without losing your money.
Analyze soccer matches, inclusive of past results, head to head stats, today match fixtures, live soccer odds, players and team form.
Check the latest and fastest live score results for all football matches. Know who are the goalscorers, yellow card and red card offenders.
Read up these useful tips for soccer betting.
Get the listings of soccer leagues and competitions for each region, including past seasons results and football statistics.
Want to bet on a match today? Check out the list of today match fixtures.
Read MoreGet the match results for all the soccer matches around the globe. Inclusive of half-time, full-time results.
Read MoreAre you an expert in soccer betting? Join SoccerPunter Tipsters competition to challenge against the top football tipsters and win prizes!
Read MoreCopyright © 2002-2025 SoccerPunter Pte. Ltd. All rights reserved.
Be the first to comment: