The Result Carries Weight
Valencia scored twice in five second-half minutes to overturn Barcelona's lead and claim a 3-1 win on the final day of the LaLiga season—a result that proved too little, too late for European qualification.
Robert Lewandowski, playing his last match for Barcelona, gave the visitors a deserved lead just after the hour mark, ghosting in to divert Ferran Torres' volley beyond Stole Dimitrievski. It was his 119th goal in four seasons with the club.
But the comeback was swift and clinical. Javi Guerra levelled within two minutes, picking the ball up on the edge of the box and fooling Wojciech Szczesny with a feint. Before Barcelona could gather themselves, Guerra's blocked shot fell to Luis Rioja, who fired into the net.
The Moment That Swung It
The hosts added a third deep in stoppage time through Guido Rodríguez' strike from distance, sealing the three points. Valencia's win, however, meant nothing in the standings—Getafe's victory over Osasuna and Rayo Vallecano's win at Alavés kept them out of European places.
Early in the match, Alejandro Balde fired into the side netting and Lewandowski headed against the upright. Valencia had their moments too: Hugo Duro, Rioja and Unai Núñez all went close before Diego López fired wide.
The second half brought a worrying development for Valencia when Diego López was forced off with a knee injury. That proved costly, but not enough to change the outcome.
The Race Tightens
Lewandowski's farewell goal will be the lasting image from this match, even in defeat. The record did not need much decoration; it already did the talking.