Ansu Fati, left, scored Barcelona's opener in the 2-2 draw at Osasuna. AFP
Ansu Fati, left, scored Barcelona's opener in the 2-2 draw at Osasuna. AFP
Ansu Fati, left, scored Barcelona's opener in the 2-2 draw at Osasuna. AFP
Ansu Fati, left, scored Barcelona's opener in the 2-2 draw at Osasuna. AFP

Ansu Fati makes history but Barcelona stumble again without Lionel Messi


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Sixteen-year-old Ansu Fati became Barcelona's youngest ever La Liga goalscorer on Saturday but could not prevent his side stumbling to a surprise 2-2 draw at promoted Osasuna which left the champions with only four points after three games.

Roberto Torres' thumping volley gave Osasuna the lead in the seventh minute to send the boisterous El Sadar crowd into a frenzy and Barca struggled to cope with the home side in a first half in which they failed to have a single shot at goal.

Barca were still without all-time top scorer Lionel Messi and fellow forwards Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele due to injury and coach Ernesto Valverde was left with little choice but to turn to Fati at the start of the second period.

The teenager had become Barca's second-youngest ever player in last week's 5-2 win at Real Betis and he needed only six minutes to get off the mark, rising to head home a cross from fellow academy graduate Carles Perez.

Perez also provided the pass which led to Arthur Melo giving Barca the lead in the 64th minute by brushing off two defenders inside the area before delivering a superb strike into the bottom corner.

But even when they were in front, Barca looked far from comfortable against an Osasuna side renowned for their physical prowess and who are unbeaten at El Sadar in league games since April 2018.

Forward Brandon should have equalised for the hosts when he was unmarked in the area and got his head on a cross but missed the target, while substitute Juan Villar was thwarted by Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen a minute after coming on.

Osasuna finally found their way back into the game when Gerard Pique was penalised for blocking a cross with his hand and Torres showed nerves of steal to send Ter Stegen the wrong way from the spot to level in the 81st minute.

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Lionel Messi and Barcelona greats attend opening of Johan Cruyff Stadium

  • Barcelona's fans pose for a photo next to Johan Cruyff's graffiti during the opening of the new stadium in his name. EPA
    Barcelona's fans pose for a photo next to Johan Cruyff's graffiti during the opening of the new stadium in his name. EPA
  • Lionel Messi was among the Barcelona players in attendance. Getty
    Lionel Messi was among the Barcelona players in attendance. Getty
  • A view of the Johan Cruyff Stadium. Getty
    A view of the Johan Cruyff Stadium. Getty
  • The new Johan Cruyff Stadium. AFP
    The new Johan Cruyff Stadium. AFP
  • The new Johan Cruyff stadium. AFP
    The new Johan Cruyff stadium. AFP
  • Sergi Roberto, Sergio Busquets, Lionel Messi, Gerard Pique and Frenkie De Jong pose at the launch of the Johan Cruyff Stadium. EPA
    Sergi Roberto, Sergio Busquets, Lionel Messi, Gerard Pique and Frenkie De Jong pose at the launch of the Johan Cruyff Stadium. EPA
  • Johan Cruyff's son Jordi Cruyff takes the kick-off of the inaugural game between the Under 19s sides of Barcelona and Ajax. EPA
    Johan Cruyff's son Jordi Cruyff takes the kick-off of the inaugural game between the Under 19s sides of Barcelona and Ajax. EPA
  • Messi shakes hands with young Barcelona players. Getty
    Messi shakes hands with young Barcelona players. Getty
  • Barcelona's president Josep Maria Bartomeu and Ajax's sports director Marc Overmars. EPA
    Barcelona's president Josep Maria Bartomeu and Ajax's sports director Marc Overmars. EPA
  • Ajax Under 19s coach Johnny Heitinga. Getty
    Ajax Under 19s coach Johnny Heitinga. Getty
  • epa07798033 A Barcelona fan takes a photo with his phone during the inauguration of the Johan Cruyff Stadium. EPA
    epa07798033 A Barcelona fan takes a photo with his phone during the inauguration of the Johan Cruyff Stadium. EPA
  • Barcelona U19s manager Victor Valdes talks to his players. Getty
    Barcelona U19s manager Victor Valdes talks to his players. Getty
  • Naci Unuvar of Ajax U19 scores his team's second goal. Getty
    Naci Unuvar of Ajax U19 scores his team's second goal. Getty
  • Jordi Cruyff and his mother Danny Coster walk onto the pitch. Getty
    Jordi Cruyff and his mother Danny Coster walk onto the pitch. Getty
  • Action from Barcelona v Ajax. Getty
    Action from Barcelona v Ajax. Getty
  • Action from Barcelona v Ajax. Getty
    Action from Barcelona v Ajax. Getty
  • The Cruyff family in attendance. EPA
    The Cruyff family in attendance. EPA
  • Action from the clash between Barcelona and Ajax.
    Action from the clash between Barcelona and Ajax.
  • A general view of the new stadium for the La Liga champions. Getty
    A general view of the new stadium for the La Liga champions. Getty
  • Fireworks take place after the game between Barcelona and Ajax. Getty
    Fireworks take place after the game between Barcelona and Ajax. Getty

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"They pressed us really hard and we struggled to keep hold of the ball. With their fans behind them they barely let us breathe and we couldn't control the game," Barca midfielder Sergi Roberto told reporters.

"We leave here feeling very angry but all we can do is think about the next game now. We know there are some stadiums like this one where you get put under a lot of pressure and if you aren't completely focused you pay a big price."

Osasuna coach Jagoba Arrasate praised his side's energetic performance, saying his players "showed real courage and got their reward".

It is the second consecutive away game which Barca failed to win after losing 1-0 at Athletic Bilbao two weeks ago, while Osasuna have picked up more points than the champions, recording two draws and a victory on their return to Spain's top flight.

"There's still a long way to go, we've only had three games and this is only the start of the season but we've been sent a clear message that we cannot afford to relax," added Roberto.