Barcelona made a second-half comeback to beat already-relegated Real Valladolid 2-1, to move seven points clear at the top of La Liga.
Valladolid came into this game without a win in 14 league matches. They went into an unexpected lead against a much-changed Barcelona side after only six minutes. Valladolid midfielder Ivan Sanchez cut in from the right, and his deflected effort looped over ter Stegen's head and into the net. While the Catalans did have plenty of the ball, they looked disjointed in the first 30 minutes.
Nineteen-year-old Barcelona debutant Dani Rodriguez went off in tears after injuring his shoulder after 36 minutes. Somewhat ominously for Valladolid, Rodriguez was replaced by Lamine Yamal. Yet the home side went into the break a goal up. At half-time, Hansi Flick brought on Raphinha and Frankie de Jong.
The changes paid dividends with Raphinha equalising nine minutes after the break. Things got even better for the visitors six minutes later when Gerard Martin's squared ball found Fermin Lopez, who smashed in to give Barcelona the lead. From then on, the away side continued to dominate, but they did need Ter Stegen to save from Valladolid substitute Juanmi Latasa. In the end, it was enough for Barcelona's victory.
Real Valladolid v Barcelona Match Statistics
Real Valladolid
18%
5
4
10
2
Match Highlights
Real Valladolid Player Ratings
Formation: 4-1-4-1
MixCollage-03-May-2025-08-17-PM-8383GK: Andre Ferreira - 7/10
Showed great goalkeeping by denying Pau Victor in the first-half and looked in good form.
RB: Antonio Candela - 6/10
After Valladolid took an early lead, the full-back struggled to get past the halfway line.
CB: Eray Comert - 6/10
Like much of the Valladolid side, he came under increased pressure when Barcelona took increased control of the game.
CB: Cenk Ozkacar - 6/10
Had to maintain a high level of focus as his side were unable to keep possession.
LB: Adam Aznou - 6/10
Stuck at his task as Barcelona brought on their superstars.
DM: Stanko Juric - 6.5/10
Perhaps not given as much defensive work as he would have anticipated in the first-half.
RM: Anuar Tuhami - 6/10
Went into the book in the first-half for a rash challenge on Gerard Martin.
CM: lvan Sanchez - 7/10
Showed a good half yard of pace as he gained space to drill the home side into the lead.
CM: Selim Amallah - 6/10
Had to work hard, mostly without the ball, as Valladolid were unable to keep the ball.
LM: Raul Moro - 5/10
Was credited with the assist for Sanchez's goal, but this was a challenging evening for Moro.
CF: Mamadou Sylla - 6/10
After Valladolid's great start, the striker was starved of the ball.
SUB: Juanmi Latasa - 6.5/10
Denied what seemed a certain goal by ter Stegen.
SUB: Chuki - 5/10
Brought in the last 20 minutes with still only a goal in the game.
SUB: Amath Diedhiou - 6/10
Came on for the booked Tuhami and had to show a similarly strong attitude in his play.
SUB: Florian Grillitsch - 5/10
Wasn't able to get on the ball, but had to work hard in his defensive duties.
Barcelona Player Ratings
Formation: 4-3-3
RaphinhaGK: Marc-Andre ter Stegen - 6/10
After being called upon in the opening stages, the goalkeeper was something of a spectator as Barcelona dominated the ball.
RB: Hector Fort - 6.5/10
Unfortunate not to have scored with a decent strike that hit the upright.
CB: Ronald Araujo - 5/10
Looked to be in discomfort in the first-half, but didn't do enough to close down Sanchez before his goal.
CB: Andreas Christensen - 6/10
Like his goalkeeper, a virtual spectator in the second-half.
LB: Gerard Martin - 6.5/10
Put in a good delivery for Barcelona's second goal.
RM: Pedri - 6/10
After a frustrating first-half, he was brought off at the break.
CM: Gavi - 6/10
Saw plenty of the ball, but much of the game was a frustrating affair for the midfielder.
LM: Fermin Lopez - 6.5/10
Was alive in the box to turn the game around for the visitors.
RW: Dani Rodriguez - 6/10
Making his debut, the youngster looked in some discomfort after coming off in the first-half with a shoulder injury.
CF: Pau Victor - 6/10
Showed good technique when performing a well-struck overhead kick, but his effort was well saved.
LW: Ansu Fati - 5/10
The former Brighton loanee was unable to have a big enough influence on the game.
SUB: Lamine Yamal - 6.5/10
Brought on in the first-half for the injured Rodriguez and showed some nice touches.
SUB: Frankie de Jong - 6/10
Alongside Raphinha, was brought on at half-time, and his presence helped Barcelona turn the tide.
SUB: Raphinha - 7.5/10 - Player of the Match
Made an almost instant impact by levelling the score early in the second-half and giving his side the catalyst to go on and win.
SUB: Dani Olmo - 6/10
Another of Barcelona's star men who was brought on to ensure Barcelona got the win they needed.
SUB: Eric Garcia -
Came on in the last 10 minutes.