Barca's title defence hit by 2-2 draw with Getafe

BARCELONA — Barcelona conceded a second goal to Getafe forward Angel Lafita in injury time to stumble to a 2-2 draw at home on Saturday, dealing a major blow to their hopes of defending their Spanish league title.

Lionel Messi volleyed in Dani Alves' pass to open the scoring in the 23rd minute, only for Lafita to level after a rare attack for Getafe in the 37th.

Substitute Cesc Fabregas appeared to have put Barcelona back on track when he initiated a move that ended with Alexis Sanchez scoring in the 67th.

But Barcelona's brittle defence again betrayed them in the final moments when Lafita charged in to head home a cross and grab a draw that silenced the Camp Nou stands.

Already out of the Champions League and Copa del Rey, Barcelona's chances of repeating as Spanish champion are fading fast. The Catalan club were left three points behind Atletico Madrid before the leaders visit Levante on Sunday.

There are two more rounds remaining after this weekend. Real Madrid currently trail Atletico by six points but have one more game to play.

The match was Barcelona's first home game since former coach Tito Vilanova's death last week from throat cancer. 

He was honoured with a commemorative video, an enormous banner with the message "Tito, Always Eternal", and a minute's silence before kickoff.

Barcelona dominated the outclassed Getafe for the first 80 minutes, but their lack of scoring touch cost the hosts dearly.

Lafita converted two of Getafe's three scoring opportunities, while Pedro Rodriguez and Alexis were particularly off target for a Barcelona side that generated a plethora of empty shots.

Barring slipups by both Atletico and Madrid, Barcelona will not win a major title for the first time since the 2007-08 season before former coach Pep Guardiola took over with Vilanova as his assistant. 

Vilanova led the team to the league title last year in his only season as head coach.

Messi caused Getafe problems both before and after his 28th league goal of the campaign when he arrived unmarked in a second wave of attackers to place Dani Alves' low cross into the net with a left-footed volley.

Barcelona pressed for a second goal but there were too many bodies packed into the area for Messi, Pedro and Andres Iniesta to break through.

Lafita capitalised on Pedro's hesitant marking on a free kick to slot in the equaliser, and coach Gerard Martino sent on Fabregas for defender Javier Mascherano in the second half.

The decision paid off with Alexis' goal seconds later, but Barcelona were later left undermanned at the back.

Barcelona goalkeeper Jose Pinto saved Pablo Sarabia's volley with 10 minutes to play, but he could nothing to keep out Lafita's header when he jumped above Adriano to turn in Jaime Gavilan's cross.

Getafe provisionally rose three points above the relegation zone.