Valencia stunned Barcelona with a dominant 3-1 victory at Estadio de Mestalla, ending the league leaders' hopes of a perfect finish to the season.
Barcelona arrived in Valencia as La Liga's runaway leaders with 94 points from 37 matches. The visitors held a commanding position at the top of the table. Valencia, sitting ninth with 46 points, faced an uphill battle against the Spanish giants.
The first half proved relatively balanced despite Barcelona's superior possession. The away side controlled the ball with 76% possession but struggled to create clear openings. Valencia defended compactly and looked dangerous on the counter-attack with their limited opportunities.
Barcelona broke the deadlock in the 61st minute when Robert Lewandowski fired past Valencia's goalkeeper. The striker latched onto a loose ball inside the box and converted with clinical precision. Lewandowski's finish gave Barcelona the lead they deserved based on their dominance.
Valencia's response came swiftly and decisively. Just five minutes later, in the 66th minute, Javier Guerra equalized for the hosts. Guerra's goal sparked a remarkable turnaround that would define the match.
The momentum shifted completely toward Valencia. Luis Rioja put the hosts ahead in the 71st minute with a composed finish. Barcelona's defense looked vulnerable as Valencia pressed forward with renewed confidence and intensity.
Barcelona struggled to regain control after falling behind. The visitors managed 11 total shots but only four found the target. Their passing accuracy remained high at 90%, yet they could not break down Valencia's organized defense.
Valencia's statistics told the story of their dominance in the second half. They recorded 19 total shots with six on target. Their expected goals (xG) of 1.48 slightly exceeded Barcelona's 1.36, reflecting the quality of chances created.
Guido Rodríguez added a third goal for Valencia in the 90th minute, sealing a stunning victory. The midfielder's late strike ended any hope of a Barcelona comeback. Rodríguez's finish capped an impressive performance from Valencia's midfield and defense.
The final whistle confirmed one of La Liga's biggest upsets of the season. Barcelona's 31-game unbeaten run in the league remained intact, but this loss ended their pursuit of a flawless campaign. Valencia's 3-1 scoreline represented a complete reversal of expectations.
The defeat leaves Barcelona with 94 points from 37 matches, still leading La Liga by a significant margin. Valencia's impressive performance lifted them to 46 points and showcased their ability to compete with the elite. This result demonstrated that even the strongest teams face challenges on any given day.
Barcelona will look to bounce back in their remaining fixtures as they chase the title. Valencia, meanwhile, will seek to build on this confidence-boosting victory and climb the table. The result serves as a reminder that form and possession alone do not guarantee success in professional football.
