Honours even at the Mestalla after goal-line controversy

Both sides were able to maintain their unbeaten starts to the season in the top-of-the-table clash as Valencia took the lead in the second half through Rodrigo before Jordi Alba equalised late on for the visitors.

In such an important clash between the two teams at the top of the table, it was unsurprising that the game started in a cagey manner. Barcelona were seeing most of the ball but Valencia were happy to sit back and absorb the pressure.

In the opening stages, the visitors were restricted to two long-range efforts from Paulinho and Rakitic, both of which Neto was equal to in the Valencia goal.

Thomas Vermaelen was making his first Barcelona start in 22 months, in place of the suspended Gerard Pique, but Valencia failed to test him in the opening half as Rodrigo and Simone Zaza struggled were starved of service.

The crucial moment of the first period came on the half hour mark, when the game was mired in controversy. Lionel Messi’s first-time effort from outside the area was fumbled by Neto and bounced a clear yard over the goal-line, but the officials failed to spot it.

The lack of goal-line technology in Spain meant play carried on, and while a few of the Barcelona players celebrated, and others protested to the referee, Valencia raced down the other end and Zaza flashed an effort just wide of the post.

Barcelona picked themselves up from the poor decision and continued to dominate play, but were struggling to cut through the resolute Valencia defence.

After a period of sustained pressure, Luis Suarez shrugged off Martin Montoya, before forcing Neto into a save from a tight angle, and Messi’s follow-up effort from inside the area was blocked.

The visitors should have gone in ahead at the break, but through a combination of poor officiating and a lack of technology, the sides went in at half-time with the scores level.

As soon as the second half started it was clear that Marcelino’s side had upped their game as Goncalo Guedes cut the ball back for Zaza on the edge of the area and he shot just wide of the goal.

Guedes was involved again minutes later as he skipped pas Samuel Umtiti inside the area, but ter Stegen was out quickly to thwart him as Valencia were increasing the pressure.

On the hour mark, the home side got the goal their second-half display had merited. Guedes played the ball down the line to an overlapping Gaya, and his low cross was converted by Rodrigo at the front post as ter Stegen failed to parry.

Considering Barcelona’s goal that never was in the first half, the fact that Valencia took the lead was particularly controversial and Valverde’s players were clearly shaken, as Luis Suarez committed a needless foul on Gabriel Paulista.

Valverde made three changes in relatively quick succession in a bid to turn the tide in his side’s favour, and Luis Suarez forced Neto into a good save with his snap shot from the edge of the area.

The Catalan giants were starting dominate the ball again and they finally had their reply after 82 minutes, and this time there was no doubt about it.

Messi played a superb lofted ball towards Jordi Alba at the back post and the full-back volleyed across Neto into the far corner to level the scores with his first goal of the season.

In the final stages Barcelona continued to push for the winner, but it was Valencia who came closest with a counter attack in stoppage time. Andreas Pereira found Zaza at the back post and he volleyed into the ground but the ball bounced inches over the crossbar before the referee brought an end to proceedings.

On the balance of play the draw was probably the fair result, with Barcelona on top in the first 45, and Valencia better after the break, but it’s impossible to ignore the goal-line controversy in the first half which would have totally changed the outlook of the game.

Valencia’s club-record run of consecutive wins has come to an end, but Marcelino’s side remain unbeaten after a superb start to their La Liga campaign.

Meanwhile Barcelona, also yet to lose, extend their lead over Real and Atletico Madrid to eight points at this relatively early stage of the season.