Luis Enrique’s side clinched the Liga title with last week’s win over Atletico Madrid and so had little to play for ahead of the upcoming Copa Del Rey and Champions League finals, but for Depor their place in the top-flight was on the line.
And with Barcelona 2-0 up after an hour – with Lionel Messi scoring a double – Victor Sanchez’s side looked to be dead and buried. However, they mounted a sensational comeback to claim a point and scrape their way to safety.
Deportivo La Coruna pulled off a miraculous escape to avoid relegation, coming back from two goals down to draw 2-2 against Barcelona as Xavi Hernandez bid farewell to Camp Nou.
Lucas Perez halved the deficit with an astonishing turn and finish into the top corner of Jordi Masip’s net – giving Deportivo a survival lifeline – with Eibar and Algeria drawing at the time of the goal.
And the visitors restored parity after 76 minutes, when Diogo Salomao smashed home from a blocked free-kick to complete a comeback that looked nearly impossible just moments ago – holding on for the point needed to keep them out of the bottom three.
Xavi was given a standing ovation by the Camp Nou crowd on his last Liga appearance before he makes the move to Qatari side Al Saad at the end of the season, but will surely play a significant part in Barcelona’s Copa Del Rey and Champions League final appearances.