Valencia hold Barca amid Messi ghost goal controversy

Jordi Alba’s late equaliser maintained Barcelona’s four-point lead over Valencia at the top of La Liga in a 1-1 draw at Mestalla on Sunday overshadowed by the league’s lack of goal-line technology.

Lionel Messi’s first-half effort clearly crossed the line but wasn’t allowed to stand as, unlike other major European leagues, La Liga has refused to introduce the technology on cost grounds.
Rodrigo’s opener on the hour mark rubbed salt into Barca’s wounds, but the visitors responded when Messi picked out Alba eight minutes from time to ensure both sides remain unbeaten in La Liga.
However, just a second slip up from Barca this season does allow Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid to close to within eight points of the leaders.
“It was a monumental error by the referee,” Alba told Movistar.