Gerard Pique equalises with late own goal

Gerard Pique equalises with late own goal

League leaders Barcelona were denied victory in dramatic circumstances at Osasuna as Gerard Pique put through his own net deep into injury time to give the hosts an unexpected point.

Pique was attempting to clear after a Rafa Marquez error had let in Javier Camunas, but the Spain defender could only divert the ball into his own net and Barca were forced to settle for a draw which sees their lead at the top of the Primera Division cut to just a point after Real Madrid beat Getafe earlier in the evening.

Before that, Seydou Keita's strike midway through the second half had looked enough to send the Catalans on their way to an eighth victory in nine league games.

Pep Guardiola's side began with their usual gusto and created the first chance after just two minutes, when Lionel Messi saw his effort pushed wide by Ricardo.

But Osasuna weathered the early storm and should have taken the lead after 11 minutes, when Carlos Aranda failed to hit the target with just Victor Valdes to beat.

The Catalans were not having things all their own way and chances were hard to come by at this stage.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic saw his effort blocked on the half hour-mark as the visitors searched for a moment of inspiration.

Osasuna then came close again, though, as Juanfran Torres flashed an effort just wide.

It was all square at the interval and on the balance of play in the first 45 minutes, that was about right.

Barca, as usual, were having the better of the possession and stroking the ball around neatly, but Osasuna were frustrating the visitors with their intense work-rate and constant harrying.

The Catalans began brightly as the second half got under way and Josetxo Romero had to be alert to clear the danger after 49 minutes, when Messi looked to set up Andres Iniesta.

Ricardo, who had no doubt expected a rather busier afternoon, was then called into action to punch clear a cross from Eric Abidal after 57 minutes.

The goalkeeper's next task, however, was to pick the ball out of the back of his net.

Carles Puyol, playing at full-back tonight, set up Keita with a neat cross and the Mali midfielder fired home to give Barca a crucial breakthrough.

Keita scored a hat-trick as Barca thrashed Zaragoza 6-1 at the Nou Camp last weekend, but this strike looked even more important as it was the only thing separating the two sides with less than 20 minutes left.

Osasuna began to take more risks as the game wore on.

And that allowed Barca more space in attack.

The Catalans came close to a second goal on three occasions, but Ricardo saved brilliantly from Ibrahimovic and Messi (twice).

Then, deep into injury time, Pique did manage to find the back of the net, albeit at the wrong end.

The former Manchester United defender was trying to clear after Marquez's error had let in Camunas, but could only turn the ball into his own net to leave the Catalans frustrated and Osasuna delighted at winning a point they had hardly expected.

Barca remain top, although only by a point, while Osasuna move provisionally up to ninth place.