Barcelona 1-1 Cadiz: Player ratings as late penalty sees Blaugrana lose ground in title race

Barcelona were made to pay for their sloppy finishing on Sunday afternoon, drawing 1-1 with lowly Cadiz at Camp Nou despite their visitors managing only one shot on target.

La Blaugrana struggled to create any clear opportunities in the opening half hour, but they were awarded the chance to take the lead from the spot, when Pedri was brought down just inside the box. Lionel Messi stepped up and coolly rolled the ball into the bottom corner, giving the hosts a much-needed boost.

Cadiz almost equalised immediately, but Ruben Sobrino kneed the ball just wide of the far post. Barça had chances to extend their advantage, but both Frenkie de Jong and Pedri's goals were ruled out for offside.

The hosts were made to work hard in the second half by a spirited Cadiz side, but they continued to create opportunities, with Griezmann failing to tap home after Messi selflessly squared the ball into his path.

Barça couldn't find the killer second goal, and they were made to rue for their wastefulness after Clement Lenglet fouled his man in the box, and Alex Fernandez dispatched the resulting spot kick to rip two crucial points away from the hosts.

Let's check out the player ratings from an entertaining afternoon at Camp Nou...

BARCELONA

1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Marc-Andre Ter Stegen (GK) - 6/10 - No saves to make in the first half, but commanded his box well and claimed a few crosses with typical confidence. No chance with the penalty.

Sergino Dest (RB) - 8/10 - Overlapped beyond Dembele and got to the byline, almost finding the key pass on several occasions early on. Impressive in both halves of the pitch.

Gerard Pique (CB) - 7/10 - Looked much more comfortable than in the defeat to Paris Saint-Germain - although he was marking 35-year-old Alvaro Negredo and not Kylian Mbappe.

Clement Lenglet (CB) - 5/10 - Defended the little threat he faced solidly in the first half, and helped Barça to build their attacks from the back. Committed the foul which cost Barça dearly, taking a lazy swipe at the forward. Criminal.

Jordi Alba (LB) - 6/10 - Teased a few floated and pacy crosses into the box, spotting Cadiz's shaky goalkeeper from the first minute. Almost found the net with a powerful drive after a quarter of an hour.

2. Midfielders

Frenkie de Jong (CM) - 8/10 - Always present in the penalty area when crosses pinged into the box. Has an amazing knack of riding tackles like a surfer riding a wave. Strayed just offside but slotted away his annulled goal nicely.

Sergio Busquets (CM) - 7/10 - Pulled off a wonderful defence-splitting pass to find Messi, but the Argentine failed to hit the net. Much more at ease until he was subbed.

Pedri (CM) - 8/10 - Provided a delicious flicked pass under pressure to set Barça off on the counter. Darted in between two players to draw a foul and win the penalty. Game changed upon his substitution.

3. Forwards

Ousmane Dembele (RW) - 6/10 - Always looked to cut in onto that left foot, but couldn't find the killer pass to feed his teammates. Flashed a shot wide after blitzing his marker - should have buried it.

Lionel Messi (ST) - 7/10 - Picked out clean through on goal, but the defence caught up in the nick of time to smother him. Forced an excellent save from the Cadiz keeper with a shot from distance. Cool as you like when rolling home the penalty. Could have scored a couple more, but missed the target.

Antoine Griezmann (LW) - 6/10 - Should have done better when fed through on goal in the first half. Took too long to get the shot away. Unfortunate that Messi's lay off was just a touch heavy. Subbed after an hour.

4. Substitutes

Martin Braithwaite (ST) - 5/10

Miralem Pjanic (CM) - 6/10

Francisco Trincao (RW) - 6/10

Oscar Mingueza (CB) - 5/10

Riqui Puig (CM) - 7/10