BARCELONA (REUTERS) - A 96th-minute header from substitute Luuk de Jong saw Barcelona rescue a 2-2 draw away at city rivals Espanyol in La Liga on Sunday (Feb 13).
Both sides had a man sent off in the closing stages, with Espanyol looking set for a first league victory over Barca in 16 years before de Jong turned in Adama Traore's cross to salvage a point.
Xavi Hernandez's side moved back into the fourth and final Champions League spot as a result, level on 39 points with Atletico Madrid.
It had looked like Barca would be in for a comfortable evening when they took the lead inside the first two minutes when Pedri turned in Jordi Alba's cross from close range.
Ferran Torres and Traore both went close for the visitors but they were pegged back on the stroke of half-time as Sergi Darder curled an effort in from the edge of the box after good work from Raul de Tomas.
Darder then returned the favour as he sent de Tomas away with a ball over the top that had looked to have won the game for the hosts.
Tempers flared late on as Gerard Pique and Nico Melamed both saw red following a coming together off the ball before de Jong's late effort saw the spoils shared.
Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo later apologised for his “unfortunate gesture”, saying the “tension” of the match led to the incident.
He appeared to be taking aim at midfielder Melamed while he was leaving the field towards the end of the match.
The 22-year-old Araujo, who was on the bench after going off at half-time with an injury, appeared to shout at Melamed and showed two fingers, insinuating Espanyol would be relegated to the second division again after being promoted last season.
“I want to apologise to all the people of Espanyol for the unfortunate gesture I made tonight. Everything has been the result of the tension experienced during a derby as disputed as today’s,” Araujo said on Twitter after the game.
“I consider myself a respectful person with rival fans and clubs. I’m not proud of what happened.”
Barca manager Xavi said that he had not seen the incident but apologised for Araujo’s actions.
“We have to respect the opponent, the referee and the rival fans,” Spanish newspaper Marca quoted him as saying. “We always have to be respectful, but the tension can sometimes make that hard.
“But I apologise, if this has happened, as it should not.”
Barcelona are fourth in La Liga on 39 points after 23 matches, 15 points behind leaders Real Madrid, who have played a game more.
Xavi’s team host Napoli in the first leg of the knockout round play-off of the second-tier Europa League on Thursday.
