Lionel Messi denied victory in record-breaking game for Barcelona as Cadiz grab late draw

Argentine, who put the Catalans ahead from the spot, was playing his 506th La Liga game for the club

Lionel Messi celebrates putting Barcelona in front from the penalty spot during their 1-1 La Liga draw with Cadiz at Camp Nou on February 21. Reuters

Cadiz's Alex Fernandez sends Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen the wrong way from the penalty spot to earn his team a point. Getty

Cadiz goalkeeper Jeremias Ledesma attempts a save. AFP

Barcelona's Lionel Messi on the attack. EPA

Lionel Messi celebrates with team-mates after scoring. EPA

Barcelona defender Jordi Alba and Cadiz forward Anthony Lozano battle for the ball. AFP

Barcelona's Pedri under pressure from Ruben Sobrino of Cadiz. Reuters

Barca's Lionel Messi is challenged by Fali of Cadiz. Getty

Barcelona's Lionel Messi scores from the penalty spot. Reuters

Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets challenges Cadiz goalscorer Alex Fernandez. AFP

Barcelona's Lionel Messi attempts to find a way through a crowd of Cadiz players. AP

Lionel Messi was denied victory on his record-breaking 506th La Liga appearance for Barcelona as Cadiz struck a late penalty to clinch a 1-1 draw.

Messi marked his club record by converting a first-half spot-kick, but Alex Fernandez despatched one of his own for Cadiz against the run of play to spoil the party.

Barca, thrashed 4-1 at the Nou Camp by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday, were hoping to bounce back with an eighth straight league win.

But Messi, who equalled Xavi's previous record in last week's home win against Alaves, was one of several Barca players thwarted by Cadiz goalkeeper Jeremias Ledesma.

Leaders Atletico Madrid slipped to their first home league defeat since December 2019 on Saturday when losing 2-0 to Levante.

City rivals Real Madrid took full advantage by beating Real Valladolid to climb to within three points of their city rivals, but Barca were left frustrated.

"It's a disappointed feeling because these kind of games you need to win," said manager Ronald Koeman. "That's big chance that we lost today because of Atletico's bad result yesterday. We had a big opportunity to win the game and we didn't."

Koeman's side made all the early running as Antoine Griezmann blazed over from inside the penalty area and Messi twice tested Ledesma.

But Barca made the breakthrough via the penalty spot in the 32nd minute. Isaac Carcelen brought down Pedri and Messi coolly converted his first goal against Cadiz, left-footed into the bottom corner.

Messi became the second player to score 60 penalties in La Liga after his old rival Crisitano Ronaldo, who netted 61 for Real Madrid.

Cadiz then spurned a golden chance to equalise on the counter-attack when forward Ruben Sobrino fired off target after running on to a flick-on.

Barca pair Frenkie De Jong and Pedri both had efforts ruled out for offside before the break.

Cadiz remained a threat, but continued to be outplayed after the restart, with Griezmann denied by Ledesma's superb reaction save.

Ousmane Dembele twice threatened after mazy runs as Barca pressed for the all-important second goal and Messi flashed another shot wide.

Cadiz, who won at Real Madrid in October and beat Barca in December, repelled all that Barca could throw at them and then in the 88th minute were handed a chance to snatch a point.

Clement Lenglet was adjudged to have brought down Sobrino in the area and Fernandez sent Marc-Andre Ter Stegen the wrong way when converting from the spot.

Barca went close to a last-minute winner, but Ledesma pulled off another superb save to deny Gerard Pique.

"I know it's not the result we wanted but I believe in this team and I think we have enough talent in this team to keep fighting until the end," said Pique.

"The league is long and everyone will lose points so I hope we can be there until the end in the fight."