La Liga: Iago Aspas attacks late to reduce the bet for the Barcelona title

Spanish striker Iago Aspas gave Barcelona League title hopes a further blow by launching a late free-kick to snatch a 2-2 draw at home for the Catalans on Saturday when Quique Setien’s team twice threw the advantage in an exciting match.

The draw put Barça back at the top of the table with 69 points after 32 games, but Real Madrid, with 68, can go two points ahead at the top if they beat Espanyol away from home on Sunday.

Luis Suárez led Barça to the front in the 20th minute thanks to the ingenuity of Lionel Messi, who seemed sure to shoot on goal with a free-kick, but instead threw the ball towards his Uruguayan attacking partner.

Russia striker Fedor Smolov matched Celta early in the second half, making a pass from Okay Yokuslu to complete a quick counterattack after Ivan Rakitic of Barça gave the ball away.

But Suarez restored Barça’s lead in the 67th minute after combining again with Messi, turning to shoot in the bottom corner.

The second goal seemed to have prevented a second draw on the road for Barça after last week’s goalless stalemate at Sevilla, but Aspas won a free kick by landing on Gerard Piqué’s outstretched legs.

Celta’s talisman forward made the last chance count by sending a low boost around the wall and into the bottom corner, baffling Barça goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Celta should have won the game in extra time when Nolito reached the far post with the open goal, but instead of taking advantage of the net, his shot went straight to Ter Stegen.

Celta is 16th in 34 points, the draw takes them eight points above the relegation zone.