Barcelona lose two-goal lead to draw at Villarreal; streak still alive

Barcelona missed out on the chance to go 11 points clear at the top of the Primera Division as they squandered a two-goal advantage in a 2-2 draw at Villarreal.

Ivan Rakitic's half-volley and a classy "Panenka" penalty from Neymar had given Luis Enrique's side a comfortable lead before half-time.

But Villarreal fought back after the break, Cedric Bakambu halving the deficit before Jeremy Mathieu knocked the ball into his own net just moments after coming on as a substitute.

Despite failing to win for the first time in 13 league games, Barca increased their lead over nearest challengers Atletico Madrid at the top of the table to nine points after the Rojiblancos lost 2-1 at Sporting Gijon, while Villarreal remain fourth, picking up a first point in three games.

The hosts made a bright start, former Barcelona B player Denis Suarez dribbling his way towards the area and shooting a couple of feet wide of the far post, and then Bakambu taking down a pass by the near post and firing at Claudio Bravo, who repelled the shot.

Barca took 10 minutes to have their first attempt, Rakitic winning the ball back by the edge of the area but shooting the wrong side of the near post.

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Barca's opener came from a Lionel Messi free-kick, which was aimed for Luis Suarez but ended up dropping to Rakitic, who took advantage of a poor clearance by striking home first time.

Villarreal's frustration at going behind increased a moment later when Pique committed a foul and then touched the ball with his hand while falling over, but was not booked.

Marcelino raged on the touchline and was sent off, forced to watch the remainder of the game from a cabin in the stands.

He and the home supporters were left cursing another questionable decision just before the break.

Messi released Neymar with a brilliant rolled pass and was adjudged to have been taken out by Sergio Asenjo, who reached out a hand to swipe the ball from the Brazilian's path.

Neymar coolly delivered a "Panenka" penalty to deceive Asenjo and double Barca's lead.

To their credit, Villarreal kept their heads up in the second half and forced their way back into the game.

Their first goal came from a sweeping run from Denis Suarez, who cut in from the left hand side to bear down on Bravo, and although the Chilean tipped his shot away, Bakambu was there to tap in the rebound.

The goal sent out a rallying cry and the hosts kept on peppering Bravo, who tipped away a shot from Samu Castillejo and watched in relief as Roberto Soldado headed wide of the near post from a corner.

Asenjo kept Villarreal in the game at the other end by thwarting Neymar with a dive to the left, and then the hosts got their equaliser from an unexpected source.

Mathieu had replaced Pique on 55 minutes and made his mark on the game as he tried to defend a corner, meeting a cross with his chest and sending it into his own net.

Barca would have gone ahead again had it not been for the reactions of Asenjo, who turned away a header from Rakitic, while Villarreal had a late penalty appeal turned down when substitute Adrian Gonzalez went down under a challenge from Javier Mascherano.