Barcelona need late goal to beat Almeria 3-2

BARCELONA, Dec 21: Barcelona struggled to impose itself against its minnow opponent and needed an 83rd-minute winner by Roberto to secure the home victory after twice relinquishing a lead at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Montjuic.
Raphinha opened the scoring in the 33rd and Léo Baptistão equalized in the 41st.
In the second half, Roberto put the hosts ahead again in the 60th before Edgar González evened the match in the 71st minute of the game after Barcelona goalkeeper Iñaki Peña collided with defender Ronald Araujo while going for a ball inside the area.
Peña, who started in place of the injured Marc-André ter Stegen, made a tough save in the 86th to help Barcelona preserve the lead.
Almeria is the only team yet to win a Spanish league match this season. The Saudi-owned club has not won in 21 straight league games, going back to last season. (AP)