Barcelona vs. Valencia: Score, Grades, Reaction from Liga Game

Lionel Messi struck his 400th goal for Barcelona with the last kick of a hard-fought 2-0 win over Valencia at the Camp Nou on Saturday.

Luis Suarez opened the scoring for the Liga leaders after just 55 seconds, but they were then forced to hold onto that lead against their impressive opponents. 

Barcelona were also grateful to goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, who saved a 10th-minute Dani Parejo penalty to ensure the Catalan giants remained at the top of the table.

Messi wound up having the final word on the game when he turned home a second in the third minute of injury time to cement the victory.

This was a fortunate and hard-fought three points for Luis Enrique's much-changed team, who will need to return to their best when Paris Saint-Germain arrive at the Camp Nou next week in the Champions League quarter-final second leg.

The win proved even more vital as second-placed Real Madrid claimed a 3-1 win over Malaga at the Bernabeu Stadium to close the gap behind the league leaders to two points with six games each remaining.

Andres Iniesta was ruled out for Barcelona, among five changes to the team. Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Martin Montoya, David Alba and Ivan Rakitic were also omitted from the team, which won in Paris in the Champions League:

Instead, Luis Enrique recalled Claudio Bravo, Adriano, Jeremy Mathieu, Dani Alves and Xavi Hernandez to the starting lineup.

Barcelona were looking to make a swift impact on the game, but even they could not have imagined an opening goal in the first minute.

Sergio Busquets played a tremendous ball into Messi's path, allowing him to make progress on goal with a driving run before finding Suarez on his right. Suarez prodded home past Diego Alves after just 55 seconds.

"

Goooooooool Suárez!! #genius pic.twitter.com/MkGPOk9Wqc

— FCB (@Emenderk) April 18, 2015"

Valencia quickly countered that fast start, though, and after two close attempts at an equaliser, the visitors were gifted the chance to level when Gerard Pique brought down Rodrigo inside the area. Bleacher Report's Karl Matchett expressed his surprise with the call: 

However, Bravo went low to his right to save the spot-kick from Dani Parejo:

"

PAROOOO BRAVO! #genius pic.twitter.com/A6jiyhW46s

— FCB (@Emenderk) April 18, 2015"

It was a poor penalty, but Valencia refused to let their heads drop, maintaining a control on the game.

Paco Alcacer went close in the 19th minute when his flicked effort from a Lucas Orban ball drifted just wide, while a looping Messi header was off target moments later.

Javier Mascherano needed to be alert after Pique's loose ball offered Valencia an opportunity, and the Argentine's last-ditch tackle denied the visitors.

After the early goal, this was not what the Camp Nou had expected, with their defence looking considerably shaky as Valencia persistently pushed for goal.

Adriano became the first player in the book for a foul on Antonio Barragan in the 27th minute before Valencia's Javi Fuego joined him one minute later for crashing into Neymar.

After weathering the Valencia storm, Barcelona finally found their rhythm following the opening half-hour, but they could not find a way beyond the visitors' back line.

However, Alcacer struck the post for Valencia with a superb curling effort in the 33rd minute to remind the home side that there was no room for complacency.

Messi squandered a great chance for Barcelona in the 41st minute when he fired wide from close range from a Xavi flick.

Luis Enrique withdrew Adriano for Rakitic in a much-needed change for Barcelona ahead of the second half, while Jose Gaya replaced Orban at left-back for Valencia.

Suarez looked to chase a Neymar ball in the 50th minute, but he was adjudged to be offside before Mascherano received a caution for a foul on Andre Gomes four minutes later.

A much-improved Barcelona showed up in the second period, and a ball over the top almost set up Messi for a spectacular overhead kick in the 58th minute.

The home side now had more control of the ball and were patient in the build-up after the ferocity of Valencia's forward forays in the opening 45 minutes.

After Messi struck the crossbar with a thunderous effort, Barcelona made a second change in the 65th minute when goalscorer Suarez left the field to an ovation, with Pedro replacing him.

Valencia took off the excellent Alcacer in the 74th minute, with on-loan Manchester City striker Alvaro Negredo entering the fray in his place before Bravo produced a superb parry to deny Rodrigo.

Rakitic took one for the team in the 77th minute, as he hauled down Gomes to prevent a Valencia opportunity and earned a yellow card for his troubles. A nervy Camp Nou applauded the midfielder's actions.

Alves produced a great 87th-minute save to thwart Pedro after Messi played in the forward.

If anyone needed proof that Barcelona were hanging on for the three points, it came in injury time, as Bravo was cautioned for time-wasting. It underlined the battle the home side had been in against an impressive Valencia.

However, Messi had the final say when he turned home his 400th goal for Barcelona to seal the points. Neymar sent his team-mate free on goal as Valencia were caught upfield looking for a late equaliser.

Alves blocked the Argentine's first effort, but Messi pounced on the loose ball to turn it home.

Selected Player Ratings

Gerard Pique: B

This will not be a game the Barcelona defender will remember with much fondness. He gave away an early penalty as he failed to find his feet in the opening stages of the game.

Lionel Messi: A

A glaring miss by the Barcelona star masked another fine performance. He adapted his game throughout, holding the ball well when Valencia threatened in the first half and looking to start attacks after the interval. He merited his late, late 400th goal for Barcelona.

Paco Alcacer: A

T he Valencia striker had an excellent forward display in the first half, which should have included a goal if not for the woodwork.

Post-Match Reaction

"

Fb Messi: "400 goals for Barcelona, and I hope to score many more! But most important is 3 points from tough game." pic.twitter.com/4Axl95opFG

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) April 18, 2015"

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Luis Enrique: "Messi showed again he's more than goals? He worked very hard today, like everyone, both in defence and in attack." #fcblive

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) April 18, 2015"

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Busquets: "Playing higher? It's not my natural position, but I felt good. We wanted something different, sometimes it turns out well..."

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) April 18, 2015"

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Bravo: "Suffered until the end? Yeah, but football is like that. Valencia is a very good team and we had made a big effort in Paris."

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) April 18, 2015"