Lionel Messi’s penalty kick in stoppage time of a pulsating 3-2 win at Valencia on Saturday moved Barcelona atop the Spanish league, but the victory came at a cost: Andrés Iniesta sustained ligament damage in his right knee that could keep him out for several months.
Messi also scored in the 22nd minute, a goal that was allowed to stand even though Luis Suárez had strayed offside. Valencia responded after halftime with goals by Munir El Haddadi and Rodrigo in a six-minute stretch.
Suárez tied the game in the 62nd minute, and deep in stoppage time, he was upended inside the penalty box by Aymen Abdennour.