Barcelona slump continues with 1-1 home draw with Cadiz

Barcelona, Feb 21 (efe-epa).- Barcelona on Sunday were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw against Cadiz, who left the Camp Nou with a point for the first time in decades.
Although the Catalan team dominated possession, their only goal came from the penalty spot 31 minutes into the game, after Spanish midfielder Pedri was fouled inside the area.
On his record 506th game with Barcelona, Argentine star Lionel Messi delivered from the spot, notching his 16th goal of the season.
Messi shares the 2020-2021 La Liga top scorers list with his former teammate, Atletico Madrid forward Luis Suarez.
Cadiz punished Barcelona for not making the most of their possession and drew level with one minute to go before the second-half injury time.
Barcelona’s French defender Clement Lenglet fouled Spanish forward Ruben Sobrino inside the area, prompting referee to award the visitors a penalty that was converted by Spanish midfielder Alex Fernandez.
Fernandez’s goal gave Cadiz their first point from the Camp Nou since 1978 and stopped their four-defeat slide.
Barcelona – who was beaten 4-1 by Paris Saint Germain at the UEFA Champions League earlier this week – squandered an opportunity to close the gap with Atletico Madrid, who lost 2-0 at home to Levante on Saturday.
The Catalan team is third in La Liga table, with 47 points, eight behind leader Atletico, while Cadiz is 14th with 25 points. EFE-EPA
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