Paulinho Spares Barca Blushes

Paulinho scores the winning goal for Barcelona on Saturday against a resilient Getafe outfit.

Getafe had held on to their 1-0 lead until the end of the first period in a game that saw Barcelona’s most expensive signing Ousmane Dembele succumb to an injury.

Shibasaki had shocked the visiting fans when he struck with a magnificient shot in the 39th minute and it served as a wakeup call for the visitors who stepped into gear in the second half. It was just a matter of time before Denis Suarez equalized and the pressure increased on the hosts defensive line with Messi, Suarez and others threatening at every turn, but the winning goal came later in the 84th minute when Lionel Messi laid the pass for Paulinho to slot home his first goal for Barcelona and a crucial one as the Catalonians continue their perfect start of the season with five wins from five matches.

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Meanwhile, Valencia were held to a 1-1 draw by Levante which makes it their third draw in four league matches this season though two were favorable results because it was gleaned from top opponents. Atletico beat Malaga 1-0 thanks to a goal from Antoine Griezmann as they look to continue return to winning ways and Real Betis beat Deportivo La Coruna 2-1 at home.