Lionel Messi’s sublime free-kick rescues Barcelona as Philippe Coutinho subbed off on La Liga debut

Lionel Messi bailed out Barcelona, scoring a late free kick winner to spare his side’s blushes in a 2-1 home win over Alaves.

The visitors to the Camp Nou presented the Liga pace-setters with one of their toughest tests of the season so far, with recently signed forward John Guidetti giving Alaves a surprise lead after 23 minutes, sending a finish past Marc Andre Ter Stegen as he slipped.

It was presumed that Barca would soon hit back, but instead it was Alaves who looked more likely to build on their lead, catching out the Catalans time and time again on the counter attack. It wasn’t until Ernesto Valverde made changes to his team minutes into the second half that the dynamic of the match changed.

Luis Suarez levelled things with 18 minutes left to play, firing home a volley after an excellent cross by Andres Iniesta, before Messi whipped home a stunning freekick late on. It was harsh on Alaves, who couldn’t have done much more to claim a result, but the Argentine’s quality ultimately shone through.

There was much excitement around Coutinho’s first Barcelona start this evening, but in truth the Brazilian playmaker underwhelmed. Much of this was down to his fitness, with the 25-year-old still recovering from a thigh injury, but his role on the right side of the midfield unit didn’t really suit the former Liverpool man and he was hauled off on 66 minutes. Coutinho’s quality is undoubted, but Valverde is still to find a role where he can show that.

He was only on the pitch for 40 minutes, coming on as a second half substitutes as Valverde changed his full backs, but the introduction of Sergi Roberto changed this game as a contest. The right back gave Barcelona another dimension, driving inside to link up with the likes of Messi and Suarez, overloading Alaves in the middle of the pitch. Roberto underlined his importance to the Catalans tonight.

Barcelona - Ter Stegen 5, Semedo 5, Pique 6, Umtiti 5, Digne 5, Paulinho 5, Rakitic 5, Iniesta 8, Messi 8, Coutinho 5, Suarez 7. Subs - Roberto 8, Alcacer 5, Alba 7.

Alaves - Pacheco 8, Alexs 6, Laguardia 7, Maripan 6, Duarte 8, Medran 6, Wakaso 7, Gomez 7, Perez 6, Sobrino 7, Guidetti 7. Subs - Pedraza 5, Demirovic 5, Munir 5.

19’ CHANCE ON THE COUNTER! That was a real opportunity for Alaves. They caught out Barca on the break, but Ter Stegen came off his line to make the save from Sobrino. Big chance!

23’ GOAL! Barcelona 0-1 Alaves: Alaves have taken a surprise lead at the Camp Nou! Guidetti found himself completely free on the counter attack. He actually slipped as he took the shot, but that deceived Ter Stegen and his effort found the net.

28’ TER STEGEN CALLED UPON! That's a fantastic save from the Barcelona keeper to prevent his side from falling two goals down. It was Gomez who fired an acrobatic effort towards goal!

44’ WHAT A SAVE! That was a wonderful stop from Pacheco! Messi looked to have found the net with a curling freekick effort from 20 yards, but the keeper got across to make the save.

64’ WHAT A CHANCE! That was the opportunity for Alaves to add a second. Once again, they caught out Barca on the counter attack. Gomez had to turn back, but he set up Duarte for the shot. Pique made the desperate block.

70’ HUGE PACHECO SAVE! That should have been the moment Barcelona equalised. Messi slotted through Suarez, but the Alaves goal came off his line to save the shot with an outstretched leg.

71’ OFF THE LINE! Barcelona are getting closer and closer. Paulinho almost bundled his way through after an improvised pass through by Pique, but Duarte cleared acrobatically! Wow.

72’ GOAL! Barcelona 1-1 Alaves: Finally, Barcelona have found an equaliser! Iniesta got to the byline, staged a cross to the back post, where Suarez struck an effort on the volley into the ground and into the back of the net despite a goalline clearance attempt.

84’ GOAL! Barcelona 2-1 Alaves: Barcelona needed their main man to step up and that's exactly what he's done! Messi steps up to the freekick 20 yards out and curls home a finish, despite the best efforts of Pacheco. Vintage Messi!

88’ PENALTY CLAIM! Well, Alaves' players are going wild. They believe that they should have been awarded a penalty for a handball by Umtiti. Replays show they might have a case.