Levante 3-1 Barcelona: Stunning second-half comeback cancels out Lionel Messi penalty

Levante produced a stirring second-half comeback to beat Barcelona 3-1 and condemn the champions to their third defeat in La Liga this season.

Barca had the edge in an even first half as Lionel Messi’s penalty separated the teams at the interval, but the home side came roaring back to win all three points in an impressive showing in the second period.

Nelson Semedo, playing as a left-back after Jordi Alba picked up a knock in midweek, was brought down by Jorge Miramon and Messi blasted his spot-kick into the corner after 38 minutes as Aitor Fernandez went the wrong way.

But Barca had to defend at times in the first half, with Antoine Griezmann and Clement Lenglet making important interventions at the back.

And the home side started strongly again after the interval, with the excellent Jose Campana almost getting onto a dangerous ball into the box early on.

Levante still had not had a shot on goal, but Campana netted with their first attempt on target as he fired past Marc-Andre ver Stegen on the hour to make it 1-1.

And the Valencia-based side turned the game on its head as they won the ball back in Barca’s half and Borja Mayoral fizzed a fierce shot past Ter Stegen from outside the area after 63 minutes.

The Liga leaders, without Luis Suarez after the Uruguayan limped off with an ankle injury late in the first half, made a double change as Ansu Fati and Sergio Busquets replaced Arthur and Arturo Vidal after 67 minutes, but Levante made it 3-1 moments later as a shot from Nemanja Radoja deflected off the defensive midfielder and deceived Ter Stegen on its way to the back of the net.

Messi looked to have given the Catalans a lifeline as he netted with a fine finish with 16 minutes left, but VAR ruled the effort out as Griezmann was marginally offside.

That gave Levante a lift and the home side defended in numbers for the remainder of the match, holding out for a famous win and even missing the chance to make it 4-1 as Gonzalo Melero missed a great opportunity in added time.

Barca stay top, but could lose their lead to Real Madrid later on Saturday. Levante, five points back, climb to eighth having played one more match.