Messi misses penalty as Espanyol end Barcelona’s unbeaten run

Lionel Messi missed a penalty as Barcelona’s 29-match unbeaten record came to a shuddering halt at rivals Espanyol.

Messi saw his spot-kick saved by Diego Lopez before Espanyol sub Oscar Melendo scored a memorable winner two minutes from time in the first leg of their Copa del Rey quarter-final.

Barcelona went into the game on the back of an impressive comeback victory over Real Sociedad in La Liga and eager to extend their undefeated run to 30 games.

But Melendo’s late heroics secured a memorable 1-0 win for the hosts, their first over Barca since 2009.

Tweet of the match

Star man – Diego Lopez

Moment of the match

There was nothing wrong with Lionel Messi’s spot-kick as he drove to low to Lopez’s left but the keeper, a big guy, got down superbly to make a one-handed save.

Data point

Ernesto Valverde had beaten Pep Guardiola’s 28-game unbeaten run in charge of Barca, but fell short of Luis Enrique’s club record of 39 matches without a loss.

Who’s up next?

Espanyol v Sevilla (La Liga, Jan 20)

Real Betis v Barcelona (La Liga, Jan 21)