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Barcelona dropped two crucial points in a 1-1 draw with newly-promoted Cadiz at the Camp Nou to bring their seven-game La Liga win streak to a close. Lionel Messi and Alex Fernandez scored penalties in each half to ensure the spoils were shared in Catalunya.
After a minute's silence before kickoff, Barcelona wasted no time in seizing the initiative. The first big chance of the game came when Jordi Alba's 25-yard shot whizzed past the post. Antoine Griezmann then had a goal-bound effort blocked by Cadiz.
Lionel Messi was the next to go close for Barcelona only to see his stunning shot saved by an even more spectacular save by the visiting custodian Jeremias Ledesma.
Barcelona were awarded a penalty in the 30-minute mark after Isaac Carcelen brought down Pedri. Messi stepped up and sent his compatriot the wrong way to bring up his 16th goal of the campaign.
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It was a landmark goal from the Barcelona captain, as he has now scored against 38 different teams in the La Liga.
The hosts thought they had doubled their lead on two occasions before half-time, but both goals were correctly ruled out for offside.
The second half continued in the same vein, with a resolute Cadiz defence keeping Barcelona out and Ledesma bringing his A-game to the fore.
A late and rare Cadiz foray into the Barcelona box ended with Clement Lenglet tripping Ruben Sobrino, leaving referee Juan Martinez Munuera with no option but to point to the spot.
Alex Fernandez stepped up to take the ensuing spot-kick, making no mistake from 12 yards to restore parity.
With the draw, Cadiz have now taken four points from their two games against Barcelona this season. On that note, here are five talking points from the fixture.
#5 Profligate Barcelona lose more ground in the title race
Barcelona came into this game on a seven-game winning run in La Liga that had seen them soar up the standings.
Despite a harrowing 4-1 defeat at home to PSG in midweek, the Cadiz game offered Barcelona an opportunity to get back in the title race.
With the visitors in indifferent recent form, a victory would have seen the hosts close the gap on Atletico Madrid. Instead, they now trail the league leaders, who lost to Levante on Saturday, by eight points with 15 games remaining.
Despite dominating proceedings against Cadiz, Barcelona failed to make their pressure count and were largely lethargic in front of goal.
The dropped points will again see questions asked of Barcelona after what has been a harrowing week. Their failure to see off a side that had lost their last four league games does little to ease the pressure on Ronald Koeman.
With the draw, Barcelona moved up to 47 points, which is their lowest points tally after 23 games since 2006-2007.
#4 Impressive Pedri continues upward trajectory
Pedri has been the one bright spot in an otherwise dire season for Barcelona; the 18-year-old had another bright outing for the Catalans.
The teenager was full of running, trying to force the issue on several occasions, and it was his ingenuity that helped Barcelona win a penalty in the first half.
The former Las Palmas man also had the ball in the back of the net but was pulled up for an off-side in the buildup. Pedri departed the field for Francisco Trincao in the 74th minute, but it was another memorable performance for the talented youngster.
#3 Antoine Griezmann has a forgettable outing
Antoine Griezmann has been in fine form for Barcelona since the turn of the year but had a game to forget against Cadiz. The France international had some of the best opportunities in the game but was let down by poor decision-making in the final third.
Perhaps he was suffering the effects of his poor display in midweek. But the former Atletico Madrid man was devoid of the confidence that has been a hallmark of his game in recent weeks.
The 29-year-old was substituted for Martin Braithwaite in the 65th minute, with his performance against Cadiz, not one he would look back on too fondly.
#2 Smart game-plan helps Cadiz snatch an unlikely point against Barcelona.
Cadiz came into this game having won just one of their last ten La Liga outings and relegation staring them in the face.
Knowing his side's limitations, manager Alvaro Cervera set his side up to absorb the pressure, with next to nothing offered in terms of attacking play.
His players deserve praise for maintaining their compactness and not giving Barcelona much space with. Ledesma in goal also deserves special recognition, as the 32-year-old pulled off some fine saves to keep Cadiz in the game.
As long as Cadiz trailed by one goal, there was always the possibility of them getting back into the game, which proved to be the case.
Their goal happened to be their sole shot on target all match, with one other shot going off target.
This unlikely point massively helps Cadiz in their hopes of survival, and the Andalusians deserve praise for getting the job done with a gritty performance.
#1 Lionel Messi marks another milestone for Barcelona
Lionel Messi made his 506th La Liga appearance for Barcelona, which saw him overtake the legendary Xavi Hernandez as the player with the most league appearances for the Blaugrana.
The Barcelona captain marked the occasion with a customary goal, slotting from the penalty spot after half an hour. The goal meant that he has now scored against 38 different La Liga teams.
At the end, that counted for little, though, as the visitors ended up snatching a point at the death.
