Barca twice come from behind to earn a draw against Mallorca

• Defending La Liga champions FC Barcelona had to come twice from behind to secure a point against Mallorca on Tuesday night
• Xavi Hernandez’s side continue their unbeaten run this season and remain at the top of La Liga with 17 points after seven matches

La Liga giants FC Barcelona had to come twice from behind to secure a point against Mallorca on Tuesday night. A rare mistake from Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen led to Mallorca’s first goal barely eight minutes into the match.

The Catalans had several opportunities to equalize but had to wait until the 41st minute when Raphinha scored a rocket, but Mallorca took the lead again towards the end of the first half. Barcelona substitute Fermin Lopez then scored in the 75th minute to secure a point for the visitors.

Barca were forced to a 2-2 draw at Mallorca. Photo/ Barca Blaugranes.

Xavi Hernandez’s side continue their unbeaten run this season and remain at the top of La Liga with 17 points after seven matches. Barca, who are the defending champions, have won five and drawn two of their opening seven La Liga matches.

However, they will lose top spot on Wednesday if third-placed Real Madrid beat Las Palmas at home or second-placed Girona win at Villarreal. Meanwhile, the 2-2 draw was Mallorca’s third of the campaign and they have climbed to 15th in La Liga.

How The Game Unfolded 

Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez decided that Tuesday’s fixture against Mallorca was the perfect time to rest some of his key players. However, things didn’t go as he expected, with his side conceding first a few minutes into the game.

A misplaced pass from Barca’s usually faultless keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen allowed the hosts to take an early lead. Stegen was passing the ball to Oriol Romeu but the ball instead ran to Antoino Sanchez who crossed towards Vedat Muriqi.

The ball initially didn’t find the Kosovo international after Araujo slid in but his clearance went straight to Sanchez, who this time found Muriqi. The big forward made no mistake as he opened the scoring with what was Mallorca’s first competitive goal at home since early June.

It took a disjointed Barcelona team almost 40 minutes to record their first shot on target, but their efforts eventually paid off when Raphinha equalized. The former Leeds man fired a low shot from the right flank that both Mallorca defenders and goalkeeper could do nothing about.

Barcelona starlet Fermin Lopez scored a crucial second-half equalizer against Mallorca on Tuesday night. Photo/ Eurosport.

But with a few minutes remaining before the half-time break, Abdon Prats put Mallorca in front once again with a brilliant finish.

With time running out in the second half and Barcelona still struggling, Xavi Hernandez made a few changes. He brought in Robert Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal and Fermin Lopez, who scored the equalizer with 15 minutes left to play. It was Lopez’s first competitive goal for the Catalans.

Barcelona had a few chances to win the match but Lewandowski shot wide and had his header saved by Mallorca goalkeeper.