Barca slump to shock loss at Cadiz after Ter Stegen gaffe

Reuters , Sunday 6 Dec 2020

Cadiz
Cadiz's Alvaro Negredo, second right, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Cadiz and FC Barcelona at the Ramon Carranza stadium in Cadiz, Spain, Saturday Dec. 5, 2020 (AP)

Barcelona conceded two embarrassing goals as they suffered a shock 2-1 defeat away to Cadiz in La Liga on Saturday.

The Catalans fell behind in the eighth minute when centre back Oscar Mingueza headed the ball towards his own goal and although keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen got a hand to the ball, Cadiz forward Alvaro Gimenez helped it over the line.

Barca drew level with a fortuitous goal of their own in the 57th when Cadiz defender Pedro Alcala diverted a Jordi Alba cross into the net, flummoxing his impressive goalkeeper Jeremias Ledesma who had been keeping Barca at bay.

Cadiz restored their lead six minutes later, however, thanks to a calamitous error from Barca keeper Ter Stegen, who kicked the ball against Alvaro Negredo and the veteran forward followed the bounce to dribble it into the unguarded net.

Barca’s fourth defeat of the season left them seventh in the standings on 14 points after 10 games and Ronald Koeman’s side have failed to win their last four away matches.

Cadiz, who recorded their first home win since returning to the top flight, moved above them into fifth place on 18 points. The Andalusians also beat champions Real Madrid 1-0 away from home earlier in the campaign.

Barca captain Lionel Messi had a frustrating night despite being rested for the Champions League win at Ferencvaros in midweek and was repeatedly thwarted by fellow Argentine and Rosario native Ledesma in the Cadiz goal.

Ledesma also kept out a stinging shot from Miralem Pjanic late on and a close-range effort from Antoine Griezmann.

Cadiz should have put the game out of Barca’s reach when Bobby Adekanye raced towards goal unchallenged but failed to beat Ter Stegen.

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