Cartagena 2-3 Barça: Leaders show character

In a fixture brought forward due to European commitments next month, Barça overcame second placed Cartagena and an injury to Sergio González to win 2-1 and stretch their advantage at the top of the table to seven points. 

The blaugranes were made to work hard for the victory after Cartagena came from behind to take a 2-1 lead in the game. Goals from Pito and Catela turned things around for the visitors, the winner coming just two minutes from time. 

All square at the break

The contest got off to an excellent start for the blaugranes when Sergio González scored with in just the second minute, turning home Pito's cross. Catela missed a good chance to make it 2-0 before Jésus levelled things up for Cartagena to leave the game poised at 1-1 at half time. 

Barça refuse to give up 

The game remained a tight one in the second half with both sides having chances to take the lead. Just after the half hour mark it was Cartagena who went ahead when Tomaz picked up a rebound from a Dídac save to make it 2-1.

The reaction from Barça was instant. Pito scored a great solo goal just 17 seconds after the blaugranes had fallen behind to make it 2-2. 

Chances for the winner fell to Catela and Coelhoi but were missed until Catela finally did find a way through from a double penalty with two minutes left. A great save at the death from Dídac to deny Mellado sealed an important win ahead of the derby against Santa Coloma away from home on Friday. 

MATCH STATS 

CARTAGENA, 2

BARÇA, 3

Cartagena: Chemi, Darío, Bebe, Mellado, Juanan -starting five- Pablo Ramírez, Tomaz, Motta, J. Mínguez, Lucão, Jesús.

Barça: Dídac, Erick, Sergio González, Dyego, Pito -starting five- André Coelho, Catela, Antonio, Adolfo, Harrison, Touré. 

Goals: 0-1, Sergio González (min 2). 1-1, Jesús (min 16). 2-1, Tomaz (min 31). 2-2, Pito (min 31). 2-3, Catela (min 38).