FC Barcelona B 2-2 Real Madrid Castilla: Reaction just in time

Barça B produced a comeback against Real Madrid Castilla in Saturday’s 'Miniclásico' at the Estadio Johan Cruyff to salvage a 2-2 draw after going 2-0 down, with the equaliser coming in dramatic fashion right at the end.

The game was watched by the biggest crowd ever for the Barça reserves of 4.579, ensuring a fabulous atmosphere – and which was surely the primary cause for the amazing way in which the team were able to battle their way back into this game.

Things didn’t get off to the best of starts when Alejandro Balde had to leave the game through injury when it was just ten minutes old. Nevertheless, the Catalans looked well on top for most of the first half, Ferran Jutglà and Kays Ruiz coming especially close.

Barça didn’t take their chances, but the visitors did. Latasa latched onto a loose ball in the area to make it 1-0 on 24 minutes, Real Madrid Castilla’s first real chance, and the same man scored again three minutes after the interval.

Sergi Barjuan’s reaction included sending on Fabio Blanco for his debut.

This and other substitutions pumped fresh blood into the Barça team and hope was restored when Matheus produced a shot from nowhere to rifle one back for Barça B on 69 minutes.

The blaugrana were on fire and pushed and pushed for a more than merited equaliser, their chances boosted when the all-whites had Pablo Ramón sent off for a second bookable offence.

Five minutes into injury time, and when it looked like the mission was going to end in failure, Jordi Escobar finally delivered what the raucous home fans wanted.

The ball was free in the area and he was onto it like lightning, and that was 2-2. Just in the nick of time.

MATCH STATS

Barça B: Arnau Tenas, Guillem (Jandro, min. 61), Mika Màrmol, Álvaro Sanz, Matheus, Ruiz (Lucas de Vega, min. 87), Ez Abde, Ramos Mingo (Fabio Blanco, min. 61), Jutglà, Balde (Comas, min. 11), I. Akhomach (Jordi Escobar, min. 87).

Reial Madrid Castilla: Toni Fuidias, Marvin (Mario Martín, min. 63), Santos, Pablo Ramón, R. Marín (Carrillo, min. 30), Peter (Ó. Aranda, min, 76), I. Morante (E. Climent, min. 76), Blanco, C. Dotor, S. Arribas, Latasa.

Goals: 0-1, Latasa (min. 24); 0-2, Latasa (min. 48); 1-2, Matheus (min. 69); 2-2, Jordi Escobar (min. 95)

Referee: Pérez Muñoz. Yellow cards for Arnau Tenas, Matheus Pereira, Kays Ruiz and Arnau Comas (FCB) and Morante and Blanco (RMC). Red card for two yellows for Pablo Ramón (RMC).