MADRID: Barcelona came back from two goals down to share a thrilling 2-2 draw with Granada but lost ground in the La Liga title race on Sunday.

Granada forward Bryan Zaragoza had netted twice in the first half to give the hosts a two-goal lead but Lamine Yamal struck from close range to become La Liga’s youngest goal-scorer aged 16 years and 87 days and get Barca back in the game just before the break before Sergi Roberto salvaged a point in the 86th minute and preserved the champions’ record as the only unbeaten team in La Liga.

However the Catalans are now third on 21 points after nine games, one point behind Girona and three adrift of leaders Real Madrid.

Atletico Madrid are fourth on 19 points with a game in hand after Antoine Griezmann converted a late penalty to snatch a controversial 2-1 win over Real Sociedad.

Atletico dominated from the start and Samuel Lino opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with a tidy finish between the goalkeeper and the near post but the visitors equalised through Mikel Oyarzabal following a 73rd-minute counter-attack.

Atletico were given a lifeline when Carlos Fernandez inadvertently handled a Griezmann shot in the 86th, and the Frenchman slotted home the penalty to earn his side the three points.

Villarreal lost 2-1 at home against Las Palmas, while Real Betis drew 1-1 against Alaves, and controversial striker Mason Greenwood scored his first goal for Getafe in a 2-2 draw at Celta Vigo.

Published in Dawn, October 10th, 2023