Real Valladolid 3-1 Barcelona: Champions suffer big loss as hosts get survival boost and Raphinha sends Vinicius message

Real Valladolid gave their survival hopes a huge boost thanks to a 3-1 win over Barcelona

Real Valladolid came into the match desperately needing points for their survival fund and they made the perfect start by scoring after just two minutes. Darwin Machis whipped in an inviting cross and Andreas Christensen could only divert his header past Marc-Andre Ter Stegen and into his own goal.

Paulo Pezzolano's side doubled their advantage in the 22nd minute when Cyle Larin stepped up to dispatch his penalty after Gonzalo Plata was brought down by Eric Garcia.

As expected, Xavi's side started to push forward with more purpose and intensity and Jordi Masip had to pull off a couple of fine saves to deny Raphinha and Christensen.

Valladolid came within inches of going 3-0 up on the hour mark but were denied by the woodwork. Gonzalo Plata fired in a terrific cross looking for Larin who was unable to make clean contact and the ball struck the post.

Raphinha was substituted in the 63rd minute and removed his shirt to reveal a message of support for his national team-mate Vinicius Junior in the wake of the incidents that occured at the Mestalla on Sunday.

Real Valladolid made it 3-0 15 minutes from time courtesy of a superb counter-attack. Larin timed his run to perfection to burst through before firing the ball across to Plata who was on hand to stroke home.

The hosts were denied by the woodwork for a second time with 10 minutes to go when Lucas Rosa's clipped effort struck the post.

Robert Lewandowski scored what would prove to be a mere consolation for Barcelona five minutes from time when he rounded Masip and found the back of the net with a fine finish.

Real Valladolid came into this match on a five-match losing streak, their joint-worst form of the season and a run that saw them concede 14 goals and scored just four times. Once the first whistle went they looked a completely different team and given the calibre of their performance tonight, it's difficult to see how they are involved in an intense relegation battle. They put in a monumental performance tonight and it's a result that could prove to be vital come the end of the season. They now sit in 17th place on 38 points, three points above a Getafe side in 18th who will take on Real Betis tomorrow evening. With just two matches remaining and with one of those against the aforementioned Getafe, the ball is firmly in Valladolid's court in their bid for La Liga survival.

The 28-year-old Canada international was sensational tonight for his side. He kept cool under pressure to send Ter Stegen the wrong way and score his penalty and his assist for Gonzalo Plata's goal was a sensational bit of play to find a perfect pass. Larin was a handful all evening for the Barcelona defence and his constant dropping into pockets out wide made him hard to track. A great performance.

Real Valladolid: Masip 8, Fresneda 7, Fernandez N/A, Sanchez 7, Olaza 7, Mesa 7, Aguado 7, Plata 8, Plano 7, Machis 7, Larin 9 Subs: Escudero 8, Monchu 6, Rosa 6, Perez 6, Torres 7

FC Barcelona: Ter Stegen 6, Balde 6, Alonso 6, Christensen 6, Roberto 6, Gavi 6, Garcia 6, De Jong 7, Torre 7, Lewandowski 7, Raphinha 7 Subs: Pena 6, Kessie 6, Dembele 6, Torres 6, Fati 6

2' GOAL - REAL VALLADOLID - Valladolid have taken the lead with their first attack of the game! Machis whips in a cross and Andreas Christensen heads it into his own goal past Ter Stegen.

13' A SMART SAVE FROM MASIP - Raphinha strikes a vicious effort heading for the bottom corner but Jordi Masip dives across well to make the save.

20' PENALTY TO REAL VALLADOLID - Gonzalo Plata is brought down in the penalty area by Eric Garcia and Valladolid have a penalty!

22' GOAL - REAL VALLADOLID - Cyle Larin steps up to fire his penalty into the bottom right-hand corner to make it 2-0 and Valladolid are in dreamland!

32' A SUPERB SAVE FROM MASIP - Andreas Christensen fires a header from point-blank range but Masip makes yet another save!

59' VALLADOLID STRIKE THE POST! - Valladolid were inches away from a third! Gonzalo Plata fires in a cross aiming for Larin and it strikes the post.

74' GOAL - REAL VALLADOLID - The goal has been awarded following a VAR check! Plata has made it 3-0.

79' VALLADOLID STRIKE THE POST AGAIN! - Rosa clips his effort over Pena and is denied by the post! So close to 4-0 for Valladolid!

Cyle Larin is the first Real Valladolid player to provide both a goal and an assist against FC Barcelona in the 21st century.

More to follow.