Barça 3-4 Valongo: Fight back but run comes to an end

The Portuguese side Valongo have defeated Barça at the Palau (3-4) despite the Catalans fighting back from 0-3 down.

The Portuguese side strike first

Valongo scored twice in the first 12 minutes through Bessa and Navarro to take a 0-2 lead, while at the other end, former Barça keeper Xano Edo was stopping everything in goal, Sergi Panadero, Marc Grau and Ignacio Alabart all having great chances.

Bridge then scored to make it 0-3 after 20 minutes and a tough ask for the Catalans. Barça needed a goal before the break to start a comeback and it came through Joan Pascual just three minutes later (1-3, min. 23).

Barça fight back but run ended

Marc Grau scored to close the gap after the break (2-3, min. 29) before a missed penalty looked like it may prove costly. However, an Ignacio Alabart long shot evened up the game (3-3, min. 37) before Pau Bargalló had another ruled out.

With five minutes to go and Valongo knowing a win would see them into the Final Eight, Ignacio Alabart was unable to score from a direct free hit and Facu Navarro countered to score a great goal to seal the win (3-4, min. 45).

So, the 30 game unbeaten run comes to end, but at least the Catalans are assured of their place in the Champions League Final Eight, which will be played from 4 to 7 May in Viana do Castelo, Portugal.

Game stats

Barça: 3
Valongo: 4

Barça: Sergi Fernández, Ignacio Alabart, Pau Bargaló, Joao Rodrigues, Helder Nunes - starting five - Sergi Panadero, Marc Grau, Joan Pascual

Valongo: Xano Edo, Rafa Bessa, Facu Navarro, Facu Bridge, Nuno Santos - starting five - Miguel Moura, Francisco Silva, Carlos Ramos, Diogo Abreu, Gonçalo Bento.

Goals: 0-1, Rafa Bessa (min. 4); 0-2, Facu Navarro (min. 12); 0-3, Facu Bridge (min. 20); 1-3, Joan Pascual (min. 23); 2-3, Ignacio Alabart (min. 29); 3-3, Ignacio Alabart (min. 37); 3-4, Facu Navarro (min. 45).

Referees: Francesco Stallone and Joseph Silecchia. Fouls: 12:11.