Leganes Defeat Lionel Messi, Barcelona 2-1 in Shock Victory in La Liga Match

Barcelona collapsed to a shock 2-1 defeat away to Leganes in La Liga on Wednesday, failing to win a second straight league game following Sunday's 2-2 home draw with Girona.

Philippe Coutinho gave the visitors the perfect start, combining with Lionel Messi after 12 minutes for the opener. The Brazil international flicked the ball up on the edge of the area and finished with a devastating volley to break the deadlock.

The first half was largely a tepid affair as Barca retained possession, with the hosts unable to stamp any authority on proceedings. However, the second half saw the match turned on its head as the home side stunned the Spanish champions with two goals in a minute.

Nabil El Zhar grabbed the equaliser with a 52nd-minute header, and Oscar Rodriguez scored the eventual winner after an error by Gerard Pique. 

Barca turned the screw in the final stages but failed to find the potency needed to overturn the surprising scoreline.

Philippe Coutinho Deserves More Starts at Barca

Coutinho arrived at the Camp Nou in January after a protracted transfer from Liverpool, with the attacker ready to fill the vacant boots left by Neymar.

OSCAR DEL POZO/Getty Images

The 26-year-old had only started two of Barca's opening La Liga matches this season, but he quickly proved against Leganes that he is wasted as a sub.

The former Anfield hero pulled off a fantastic finish that rewarded manager Ernesto Valverde's decision to play him from the start.

A flick was followed by a world-class volley, giving the visitors the lead they expected and craved.

Squawka Football tipped their hat to the player's statistics:

Coutinho started against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on Sept. 18 after being left on the bench for the previous weekend's league game against Real Sociedad, which Barcelona won 2-1. It's possible Valverde is trying to rest the playmaker for European competition, but he can't afford to see his side's league performance dip in the Brazilian's absence.

The player was the perfect attacking midfielder in the Premier League, and he should develop into a talisman for the Blaugrana.

Barca Too Reliant on Messi Magic

This was a game in which Barca should have waltzed to victory with plenty left in the tank. However, an overreliance on their iconic attacker could develop into a problem this season.

Messi was busy throughout the game, creating and distributing through midfield, but his team-mates always look to him to bury their opponents.

Coutinho proved in the first half that he has a big future at the Camp Nou, but he needs more games starting alongside Messi to improve his form.

Soccrates Images/Getty Images

Barca's defence showed cracks against Leganes, and Pique's lack of care allowed the result to slip away against the league's last-placed team coming into the game.

With Luis Suarez on the bench, Valverde's team appeared to be blunt in attack, and their dependence on Messi ultimately cost them, with the Argentinian unable to find a decisive touch. Their opportunity for redemption comes on Saturday against Athletic Bilbao at home.