Barcelona 2-2 Valencia: Messi leads comeback but leaders drop two points

Lionel Messi scored twice as Barcelona came from behind against Valencia to draw 2-2 as their eight-game winning streak in La Liga came to an end. 

Valencia soared into a two goal lead at Camp Nou with goals from Kevin Gamiero and a Dani Parejo penalty. 

But Barca reacted. Messi got them back into the game when he scored from the penalty spot after Nelson Semedo was fouled. 

Messi completed the comeback in the second half when he bent home from 20 yards after a good run from Luis Suarez. 

Barca didn't have enough in the tank to go on and win the game, though, and they could see their lead at the top of the table cut to three points if Atletico Madrid beat Real Betis on Sunday. 

Ernesto Valverde made changes for the game, with Jordi Alba among those rested. That decision backfired, however, with Sergi Roberto struggling at left-back. 

Dani Parejo and Denis Cheryshev had both already come close when Gamiero opened the scoring after a brilliant run from Rodrigo. 

Things got worse for Barca when Sergi Roberto pushed Daniel Wass and a penalty was given. Parejo converted. 

Barca woke up and were back in the game before the break. Messi rolled home from 12 yards after Semedo was brought down in the area. 

Valverde replaced Semedo with Alba at the break, with Sergi Roberto moving back to right-back, and Barca enjoyed near blanket control of the game. 

Messi eventually equalised when Suarez's run opened up Valencia. The Uruguayan lost the ball, but Arturo Vidal picked it up and set up Messi for his 21st league goal of the season. 

There was a scare for Barca when Messi received treatment on his thigh for nearly five minutes. Eventually he came back on but there are doubts if he will be fit to feature against Real Madrid on Wednesday. 

That's what's next for Barca: Madrid at Camp Nou in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal.