The Almeria match was enjoying a special fans, as it was the last confrontation by defender Gerard Pique, in the Barcelona shirt, at the Camp Nou, after he announced his official retirement, to play football.
Robert Lewandowski, a Polish forward, strangely missed a penalty kick that Barcelona won in the seventh minute after striking it away from the Almeria goal.
Barcelona continued to pressure its guest Almeria, but favorable opportunities were lost in front of goalkeeper Fernando Martinez Rubio, until the referee launched a whistle at the end of the first half, in a negative tie without goals, between the two parties.
Following an outstanding solo effort, French star Othman Dembele managed to put Barcelona’s first goal in the net of Almeria in the 48th minute.
In the 62nd minute, Frank de Jong of the Netherlands was able to increase Barcelona’s lead (2-0) by putting the ball in the net after it slipped through the hands of the Almeria goalie.
As it was his final game ever at the Camp Nou, Xavi, who Gerard Pique replaced in the 84th minute, received particular acclaim from Barcelona supporters. At the age of 35, Xavi decided to retire from football.
As Rio Vallecano plays tomorrow, Monday, in the same round of the Spanish Liga, Barcelona’s score increased to 34 points at the top of the rankings, two points ahead of Real Madrid who played fewer games.
Barcelona defeats Almeria, taking first place in the Spanish League with them.
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