Without The Injured Messi, Barca Was Held By Eibar's Draw

Martin Braithwaite (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Barcelona was overwhelmed by the loss of Lionel Messi, who was injured when they only drew 1-1 at home to Eibar at Camp Nou in the 16th week of the Spanish League. This match was also marked by Martin Braithwaite's failure to convert a penalty for the Catalan team.

Eibar, starting the match one position above the relegation zone, stunned the home side by opening up the lead in the 57th minute through striker Kike Garcia before Barca substitute Ousmane Dembele equalized ten minutes later.

Messi had to return to Barcelona from Argentina on Tuesday but only watched the match from the sidelines as he still had to recover from an ankle problem.

Even though Barca played pretty well without Messi, they lost the sharpness of the front line he used to drive.

Braithwaite missed a penalty from the spot in the first half and then had his goal ruled out by VAR for offside

The Dane also missed an opportunity to seal the win from close range when the ball bounced off his chest on rebounding and went wide.

The draw has cost Barca nine of the 27 points available at home this season and places them in sixth place with 25 points after 15 games.

Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid are seven points clear at the top despite only playing 13 times.

Barca silenced Real Valladolid 3-0 in their final game before the Christmas break, even without Messi, they were brilliant at the start on Tuesday, earning a penalty after VAR confirmed a foul on Araujo.

Braithwaite was the executioner but his shot went wide, wasting a chance of winning in the first half.

The Catalans continued to waste their chances after the break when Dembele was caught from close range by Eibar goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic and Frenkie de Jong failed to shoot hard when he saw the gap in the net.

Despite appearing to be in control of play, Barca fell behind with a breakdown in concentration when Garcia stole the ball from Uruguay defender Araujo and shot straight into the net to beat goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen to score the game's first goal.

Araujo admitted his mistake. "It's a mistake from me, one that I shouldn't have done," he said as quoted by Antara from Reuters.

"Today was my personal mistake. I am mature enough to know how much responsibility it is to play for Barcelona," said the 21-year-old.

"It's a shame for us not to get the three points we need and want."