Real Valladolid 0 Barcelona 1: Ousmane Dembele goal enough as Barca win in VAR from pitch perfect conditions

Late drama as Valladoild have stoppage-time equaliser ruled out by VAR
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Barcelona overcame far from pitch perfect conditions to make it two wins from two in La Liga, with Ernesto Valverde's side survived a late scare to secure a 1-0 victory over Real Valladolid at the ​Estadio Jose Zorrilla​.

It took until the 56th minute for Barca to make the breakthrough, with Ousmane Dembele firing home what would prove to be the winning goal after the hosts had a stoppage time equaliser chalked off by VAR.

The away side were certainly affected by newly-laid surface as clumps of turf began to appear throughout the first half, with players having to place them back into the ground.

But Real Valladolid deserved credit for their excellent commitment to counter attacks, with Enes Unal twice testing the resolve of Marc Andre ter Stegen.

Lionel Messi was anonymous during the first 20 minutes having been deployed on the right-hand side and it was Dembele who had the best opportunities for the visitors.

The 21-year-old twice went close when shooting from range and should have teed up Luis Suarez shortly after but his volleyed pass was mistimed when the Uruguayan had an empty net to tap in.

As the half went on, Barcelona changed their approach and their best opportunity came when Philippe Coutinho played in Suarez with a sublime pass from the outside of his boot. The Uruguayan was one-on-one with goalkeeper Jordi Masip but the former Barca stopper did well to block his effort.

That narrative appeared to have continued from the first half to the second, with the turf quelling any chance of creativity.

But Barcelona would finally find the breakthrough just before the hour mark, as Dembele scored a crucial goal.

It was a magnificent pass from Luis Suarez found Sergi Roberto, who did brilliantly to not only keep the ball in play, but tee-up Dembele in the same action.

The Frenchman swept it home, first time, and Barcelona were in front.

He’d be replaced on 75 minutes as Valverde looked to consolidate, as summer signing Arturo Vidal was introduced to tighten up the midfield.

But with just over 10 minutes remaining, Valladolid had a golden opportunity to level the game. An inch-perfect cross from Alcaraz found Keko unmarked in the penalty area, but his header was straight at Ter Stegen.

There would be late drama, however. Keko - having missed that earlier chance - found the net with a header right at the end to send the Zorrilla into ectasy. However, their joy was short-lived as the goal was ruled out for offside. "This is a robbery," a section of the home fans chanted, and the officials were booed off the pitch at the final whistle. Late drama in Valladolid, but Barcelona - despite the poor playing surface - took home the points.

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