Valencia 1-1 Barcelona: Player Ratings

La Liga leaders Barcelona came from behind to pick up a point against second-placed Valencia.

The visitors to Mestalla had a goal wrongly chalked off in the first half, before Rodrigo Moreno gave Los Che the lead on the hour.

Jordi Alba then struck in the 82nd minute to maintain the Catalan club's unbeaten record in the 2017/18 season.

Here's how the players rated in Sunday night's showdown between La Liga's top two:

Valencia

Neto - 6/10

The goalkeeper has had a brilliant season up to now, but he looked nervous in this game. He should have been punished for a terrible error, spilling Messi's shot and only palming it away after it crossed the line - not that the officials noticed.

Martin Montoya - 7/10

Montoya showed some fabulous touches with the ball at his feet, but most of his night was spent defending. He dug in well and put in a shift for the team.

Gabriel Paulista - 8/10

Gabriel was excellent up against Luis Suarez, sticking tight to him and not allowing the Uruguayan an easy path to goal. He was physical and aggressive without crossing the line.

Ezequiel Garay - 7/10

Marshalled Los Che's backline admirably, with Suarez caught offside on numerous occasions. Held his position well and generally made the right decisions.

Jose Gaya - 8/10

Gaya's speed and stamina allow him to bomb up and down the left wing all game, and he was constantly providing an option on the overlap. The full-back took advantage of the space in front of him against Barcelona's narrow midfield, and even supplied the crucial assist that helped Valencia take the lead against the Catalans.

Carlos Soler - 7/10

A disciplined display from Soler, who spent much of the first half tracking back and defending. He fulfilled his duties well and used the ball neatly too.

Dani Parejo - 7/10

The Valencia captain made some terrific passes, switching the play and setting his side on their way, on the counter. No home player came close to his tally of 57 passes in total.

Geoffrey Kondogbia - 7/10

Kondogbia did not show his full range of capabilities in the first half, when he was restricted to trying to make tackles. After the break, he was more involved, carrying the ball well and helping turn defence into attack.

Goncalo Guedes - 8/10

Guedes was a major threat all evening, providing pace and direct running down the flank. He fluffed his lines on the counter-attack late on, though, and could have put the game to bed before Alba's leveller.

Simone Zaza - 7/10

Zaza, perhaps, could have done better with a couple of half-chances that fell his way, but his work-rate and pressing up front meant he still contributed to a match in which he did not score.

Rodrigo Moreno - 7/10

The forward made an excellent run across the box before converting Valencia's opener. He produced some excellent touches and was dangerous on the break.

Substitutes:

Andreas Pereira - 4

Entered the fray with less than 10 minutes left to play, and did not have much time to make an impression. Picked up an unnecessary yellow in the 89th minute, but couldn't influence the game otherwise.

Ruben Vezo - N/A

Came on in the final few minutes in place of Garay, and could not influence the match.

Santi Mina - N/A

Was Introduced in the closing stages, and didn't have time to make a difference.

FC Barcelona

Valencia v Barcelona - La Liga

Marc-Andre ter Stegen - 8/10

Ter Stegen made some important saves and swept up well behind the defence. He could have done little to stop Rodrigo's goal.

Nelson Semedo - 6/10

Semedo has now firmly established himself as Barcelona's first-choice right-back, and he was not at his best here. Having said that, the defender probably required more protection from Rakitic.

Samuel Umtiti - 8/10

Arguably the world's best centre-half at present, Umtiti was excellent again for Barcelona. He made some vital blocks and challenges, while also bringing the ball out from the back adeptly.

Thomas Vermaelen - 7/10

Starting his first La Liga match in almost two years, Vermaelen was surprisingly sturdy against a testing opposition. He read the game well and looked comfortable in possession.

Jordi Alba - 7/10

Alba made a fantastic run and finished beautifully after latching onto Messi's pass, earning Barcelona a precious point. He remains a key attacking weapon for Barcelona.

Ivan Rakitic - 5/10

This was another subdued showing from Rakitic, who did not provide the type of invention expected of a Barcelona midfielder. It was no surprise when he was brought off for Denis Suarez in the second half.

Sergio Busquets - 8/10

Busquets made 100 passes on Sunday evening, completing them at a stunning rate of 94 percent. His distribution was often penetrative, while his pressing - particularly in the first half - was superb.

Paulinho - 7/10

Paulinho made some good runs into the box and linked up well with Messi at times, but he faded as the game wore on.

Andres Iniesta - 7/10

Iniesta was bright in the first half and helped Barcelona establish control at Mestalla. Some of his passing was excellent, but he did not always look entirely comfortable when forced out to the left.

Lionel Messi - 9/10

This was another masterclass from Messi, who was a major threat throughout. His dribbling was tremendous and his passing was equally as impressive, particularly with his fabulous assist for Alba.

Luis Suarez - 6/10

Suarez was again, quiet, and far from his best - the ex-Liverpool man was guilty of straying offside far too often and did not make the most of the opportunities that came his way.

Substitutes:

Gerard Deulofeu - 4/10

The former Everton man was brought on to provide a bit of pace and purpose to Barcelona's play, but he failed to deliver and wasteful in possession.

Aleix Vidal - 6/10

Provided some fresh impetus at right-back, but got caught high up the pitch on a couple of occasions.

Denis Suarez - 7/10

Denis had some good moments during his time on the pitch, moving the ball well and helping to create chances.

Edited by Aakanksh Sanketh