Paulinho scored his first Barcelona goal six minutes from time as the Catalan giants came from a goal down to win 2-1 at Getafe on Saturday and open up a seven-point lead over Real Madrid.
Barca were dealt a double blow before half-time as record signing Ousmane Dembele limped off with a hamstring injury before Gaku Shibasaki’s sensational volley put Getafe in front.
However, Barca’s responded thanks to their substitutes as both Denis Suarez and Paulinho came from the bench to turn the game around.
GETAFE
Guaita 7 – Made a spectacular save to keep out Messi’s free-kick and was helpless for the goals
Suarez 6 – Solid and typically committed display from the experienced right-back
Dakonam 7 – Had Suarez in his pocket but was beaten by Paulinho for the winning goal
Cala 6 – Decent display in the centre of a Getafe defence which denied Barca room
Antunes 7 – Particularly strong first half from the Portuguese, who looks a good signing for Getafe
Arambarri 6 – Fairly quiet but could have won it with a deflected shot against the post at 1-1
Bergara 7 – Energetic and influential in the opening period, and disciplined in defence after the break
Fajr 5 – Disappointing performance from the talented but lightweight playmaker
Shibasaki 7 – Stunning strike for the opening goal and showed neat skills before departing injured
NDiaye 5 – Pacy winger made little impact and was substituted midway through the second half
Molina 6 – Had Pique in all sorts of trouble in the first half but faded after the break
SUBSTITUTES
Jimenez 6 – Some flashes of danger but frustratingly inconsistent end product
Mora 6 – Neat and composed from the bench for the last 20 minutes
Portillo – Not enough time to make an impact
Getafe head coach Jose Bordalas
BARCELONA
Ter Stegen 6 – Well beaten for the goal but generally solid and made a decent save from Jimenez near the end
Roberto 6 – Generally not as influential as he’d like but played a key role in the equaliser with a nice assist to Denis
Pique 5 – Lacked his usual composure and was made to look clumsy by Molina in the first half
Umtiti 8 – A tower of strength at the back for Barca, with several timely challenges and interceptions
Alba 6 – Less involved that other recent games but showed willing attitude to attack when possible
Rakitic 6 – Struggled to link up with Messi in the inside-right position and was replaced by Paulinho
Busquets 6 – Suffered from the disjointed team display around him and unable to control the game
Iniesta 6 – Tried to push Barca forward in the first half and created a good chance for Umtiti before being withdrawn
Dembele 5 – Again looked lost and had little positive impact before suffering a hamstring injury and coming off
Messi 6 – Quiet by his standards but denied a great free-kick goal by a wondrous save and teed up Paulinho for the winner
Suarez 4 – Horribly leaden-footed outing for the misfiring Uruguayan, who looks well below full fitness
Lionel Messi was quiet but Samuel Umtiti was a tower of strength
SUBSTITUTES
Deulofeu 6 – Maintained the team shape well and always available to offer attacking width down the right
Denis 7 – Introduced for Iniesta, equalised with an excellent finish and always offered penetration from the left
Paulinho 7 – Did exactly what he was brought on for by receiving Messi’s pass and striding forward to score a great winner