Barcelona vs. Celta Vigo: Score, Grades and Reaction from La Liga Game

Barcelona 0-1 Celta Vigo

Celta Vigo goalkeeper Sergio Alvarez produced a sublime performance to deny Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez from scoring on special nights for both Barcelona stars.

While the former Liverpool striker was looking to mark his Camp Nou debut with a goal, Messi was looking to at least equal the La Liga record with just one goal.

David Ramos/Getty Images

But Alvarez and the woodwork combined to deny Messi and his team-mate as Celta stole a surprise win, their first Liga triumph at Barcelona for 73 years.

Joaquin Larrivey scored the only goal of the game as Luis Enrique's former club returned to haunt him, but it was Alvarez who stole the show with a string of memorable saves.

The defeat also represented a second successive La Liga loss for Barcelona after the Clasico defeat last weekend, and left Real Madrid with a two-point lead at the table summit.

Messi was named Barcelona captain for the night, and he saw Neymar go close twice in the opening stages, with one effort crashing off the crossbar after a tremendous shot.

Pablo Hernandez was shown a 14th-minute yellow card for hauling down Sergio Busquets, and the Celta man was at the centre of his team's first threat on goal when his header was saved well by Claudio Bravo.

But Messi was then denied three times in as many minutes. Firstly, he saw Celta goalkeeper Alvarez turn his 30th-minute effort over the bar after collecting a return pass from Neymar.

Then Jonny Castro turned away another chance by the Argentina international with an unbelievable clearance which struck the crossbar before bouncing way from danger.

Then in the 34th minute, a clipped pass by Suarez was met by Messi, whose looping header went over the net.

Suarez also went close three minutes before the interval, but he also found Alvarez in fine form as he turned the strike around his post.

Neymar again clipped the crossbar two minutes after the break following good work from Rafinha.

Jeremy Mathieu needed to be swift to deny Hernandez a shooting opportunity in the 53rd minute, but the resulting corner came to nothing.

In the 55th minute, though, the Camp Nou was stunned into silence as Celta Vigo took the lead. A long ball by Alvarez was flicked on and a brilliant Nolito backheel into the path of Larrivey produced an exquisite opener for the visitors.

But the Barcelona defending, especially from Dani Alves and Busquets, was awful for the goal, allowing Larrivey to take advantage.

Messi wriggled his way into a 65th-minute shooting opportunity, but Alvarez was again ready for the effort and blocked with his feet.

Luis Enrique switched Busquets and Rafinha for Xavi and Pedro, who both came on in the 66th minute.

Substitute Pedro almost had an immediate impact when his run and cross was met by Suarez, but his header was straight at Alvarez.

Messi had another opportunity to equal the La Liga record, but his 73rd-minute free-kick after a foul on Suarez was way over the bar.

Celta almost added a surprise second goal when Bravo parried a Nolito drive, but Charles could not direct the rebound home.

Messi tried his luck once more with a free-kick from distance, but his strike hit the junction of the crossbar and post and away from danger.

Some great control by Celta forward Charles almost produced a second goal, and Bravo needed to tip over to ensure the visitors were denied.

Alvarez then produced a superb right-handed diving save to prevent a Suarez snapshot levelling the scores in the 85th minute. 

It was clear this was not going to be a night of celebration for Messi, Suarez and Barcelona, as Alvarez claimed the headlines.

Selected Player Ratings

Lionel Messi: A-

Missed three gilt-edged first-half chances to equal La Liga goalscoring record and a number of opportunities in the second 45 minutes. Struck the woodwork four times and denied by a superb display from Celta goalkeeper Alvarez.

Sergio Alvarez: A+

A tremendous first-half display from the Celta Vigo goalkeeper, who produced several quality saves, notably from Messi and Suarez in the opening period. His stop late on from Suarez in the second period was even better.

Luis Suarez: A-

A solid home debut for the former Liverpool striker, and he went close to a first-half opener only to find Alvarez in excellent form.

What's Ahead

Barcelona will now prepare for their Champions League tie at Ajax on Wednesday at the Amsterdam Arena.

Celta Vigo are next in action on Saturday when they play host to Granada in La Liga.

Post-Match Reaction

"

Nolito (Celta): "We were lucky and Sergio was amazing. He stopped everything tonight, even the taxis." #fcblive

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) November 1, 2014"

"

Alves: "I wasn't good today. We'll get trucks of criticism..." #fcblive

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) November 1, 2014"

"

Barcelona's run of scoring in 56 Liga home matches in a row has ended #fcblive Previous: 22 October 2011 (Sevilla 0-0) [via @infostradalive]

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) November 1, 2014"