Newly-promoted Alaves made the trip to Barcelona in La Liga on Saturday night looking to continue their unbeaten start to the 2016-17 campaign.
Incredibly, it was the away side that led at the interval courtesy of a 39th-minute goal from Deyverson, who turned past debut goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen to silence Camp Nou.
Barcelona were level less than one minute into the second period through Jeremy Mathieu, but Alaves regained the lead in the 64th minute when Ibai Gomez found the bottom corner from close range and that proved to be the winner at Camp Nou.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from Camp Nou as Barcelona welcome newly-promoted Alaves. In truth, this should be a comfortable home win for the defending champions here, but Alaves are unbeaten at the start of the new campaign. Let's hope for an entertaining match tonight!
These two teams are meeting at Camp Nou for the first time since November 2011, when Barcelona recorded a 3-1 victory in the Copa del Rey to complete a 6-1 aggregate success. Their last league clash came in January 2006, meanwhile, when the Catalan giants recorded a 2-0 victory. A certain Lionel Messi was on the scoresheet that day, but has he recovered from a groin injury to start tonight?!
This seems a good moment to bring you up-to-speed with the team news so let's have a look who has made Luis Enrique's starting XI and indeed what decisions Alaves boss Mauricio Pellegrino has taken!
TEAMS!
BARCA: Cillessen; Vidal, Mathieu, Mascherano, Digne; Rakitic, Busquets, Denis; Neymar, Alcacer, Turan
ALAVES: Pacheco; Laguardia, Alexis, Hernandez, Garcia; Torres, Femenia, Llorente; Mendez, Deyverson, Ibai
Very interesting team news from Barcelona! Jasper Cillessen and Paco Alcacer will make their debuts for the Spanish champions tonight, while Jeremy Mathieu, Lucas Digne and Aleix Vidal also start in what is a much-changed XI. Neymar is back from Olympic action and goes straight into the team, but Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Andres Iniesta are only on the bench for Enrique's side.
As for the visitors, on-loan Levante forward Deyverson will once again lead the line with support from Ibai Gomez and Edgar Mendez in the wide positions. It is actually exactly the same XI that started their goalless draw against Sporting Gijon last week, meaning that on-loan Real Madrid midfielder Marcos Llorente keeps his spot in addition to on-loan Atletico Madrid defender Theo Hernandez.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this warm evening in Spain. I shall speak about Alaves a little bit later, but let's start with Barcelona, who will be looking to put a third straight victory on the board at the start of the new La Liga campaign.
Enrique's side already have a trophy to their name this season after recording a 5-0 aggregate win over Sevilla in the Spanish Super Cup. They then began their La Liga defence with a 6-2 win over Real Betis at Camp Nou, before recording a 1-0 victory at Athletic Bilbao before the international break. Two from two so far and they are the big favourites to win once again tonight.
It is Real Madrid that currently top La Liga after recording a 5-2 victory over Osasuna earlier this afternoon. Las Palmas are second on six points, and Barcelona sit third, also on six. Atletico Madrid, meanwhile, recorded a 4-0 win at Celta Vigo this afternoon to move into fourth on five points.
Incredibly, Barcelona have now scored at least five goals in each of their last three league games on home soil. Meanwhile, they have also won 25 games in a row at home to Basque opposition in Spain's top flight, keeping 15 clean sheets in the process. Not the best omens for Alaves it must be said!
Barcelona have not actually lost a competitive match since suffering a 2-1 defeat to Valencia in April, which was their third straight league loss. That wobble allowed Real Madrid back into the title race last season, but Enrique's side managed to win it on the final weekend by a single point. Can we just take a moment to appreciate the Barcelona bench tonight. Some decent players on it...
The Catalan outfit were unable to repeat their treble success from the 2014-15 campaign, however, as Real Madrid lifted the European Cup. La Liga and another Copa del Rey crown represented an impressive campaign, although Barcelona will be targeting the Champions League this season. It promises to be another fascinating battle between the likes of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
In terms of what is ahead for Barcelona, the Spanish giants will open their Champions League group campaign at home to Celtic on Tuesday, before travelling to Leganes in the league next weekend. Then comes a home league game against Atletico Madrid on September 21, before ending the month with a league game against Sporting Gijon and Champions League trip to Borussia Monchengladbach.
As for Alaves, they, of course, have no European football to worry about this season and all of their attention will be on remaining in the top flight. The blue and whites, who famously made the UEFA Cup final in 2001, are back in La Liga for the first time since being relegated at the end of the 2005-06 campaign.
Since being relegated in 2006, Alaves have actually spent four seasons in the Segunda B, but returned to the second tier in 2013 and managed to return to La Liga this season after winning the Segunda Division last term. They actually finished sixth in La Liga in the 1999-2000 season and then seventh in 2000-01. It would be some story if they could reach those standards this term.
It has been a solid start to the new campaign after opening their season with an impressive 1-1 draw at Atletico Madrid, courtesy of a 95th-minute equaliser from Manu Garcia, who cancelled out a stoppage-time penalty from Kevin Gameiro. The newly-promoted club then drew 0-0 at home to Sporting Gijon last time out to move onto two points in the division and as it stands, they are 12th in the table.
In terms of what is ahead for Alaves, they will host Deportivo La Coruna next Monday, before travelling to Valencia and welcoming Granada in their next two matches before the end of the month. It is a tough task for the visitors tonight, but they did record a 1-0 La Liga victory in this stadium in February 2000. Could it happen again? Well, Barcelona are not at full strength tonight.
PREDICTION! I do not think that Alaves will take a hiding tonight, but I expect Barcelona to win and win comfortably. It might be the type of match where the home side have to wait to make the breakthrough, but it should come as Alaves tire. I am backing a 3-0 Barcelona win at Camp Nou.
KICKOFF! Here we go then! Alaves kick things off at Camp Nou...
... it would be fair to say that the home supporters have turned up tonight expecting their team to win and indeed win well. Alaves have not really got anything to lose here, but that does not mean that they will go all out and attack Barcelona, that is for sure. Early possession for the home side.
Edgar Mendez looks to run away from Mathieu in a wide position, but the Barcelona defender is on hand to make a smart challenge and the danger is cleared. Neymar, with his incredible new hair-do, has been involved in the early exchanges as he continues to bob and weave in the final third of the field.
Neymar goes down outside the box under a challenge from Torres, but the referee is not interested and it is the visitors who are awarded a free kick moments later. Plenty happening early on!
Pass, pass, pass from Barcelona as they continue to move the ball in the final third, but there has not been a chance of any note inside the opening seven minutes. I know it is only seven minutes in, but I say that because Barcelona seem to always start well on home soil. So far so good for Alaves.
Barcelona are still very much in control of the possession, but not too much is happening at the moment. Vidal breaks down the right and looks to deliver a cross, but Theo Hernandez makes the block.
Neymar is running the show for Barcelona as he continues to pick up the ball in dangerous positions and fizzes passes into wide positions, but his teammates are not up to speed at the moment. There has been little from Digne and Vidal in the full-back areas. Not quite Alves and Alba thus far!
Neymar has gone full Messi, or full Phil Jones with his new hair-do...
Tester for Cillessen as Ibai Gomez hits one from distance, but it is a comfortable save.
Denis Suarez looks to test Pacheco down the other end, but his effort is deflected wide of the post. Barcelona remain in control with 16 minutes on the clock, but Alaves are pretty comfortable here.
Opening for Barcelona as Rakitic finds a yard of space outside the box, but his effort was always moving over the crossbar. In fact, the ball is due to land in central Barcelona at about 10pm!
Mendez has the chance to carry the ball forward for the visitors, but in attempting to find Ibai, the ball flies straight out of play for a goal kick. Barcelona break down the other end and eventually work it into a wide position with Neymar, but Llorente is on hand to make a really smart challenge.
Barcelona again threaten in a wide position as Rakitic finds Turan, but the attacker's cross is too high and lands over the Alaves crossbar. Still goalless with 23 minutes played in Barcelona.
Just a reminder that Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have both already won today. Atletico recorded a 4-0 victory away at Celta Vigo, before Real Madrid beat Osasuna 5-2. It is Real Madrid that currently lead the way in La Liga with nine points. Barcelona will hope to join them tonight.
Half-chance for Vidal in a wide position, but Hernandez is across to block the right-back's effort. Alaves are defending very, very well at the moment as they continue to close the space.
Thirty minutes on the clock and still goalless at Camp Nou. Some signs of unrest in the crowd, which is actually not that surprising. They are a demanding bunch here! Another corner comes into the Alaves box, but the visitors have a height advantage and manage to clear their lines once again.
Just a reminder that Barcelona do have Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez on the bench tonight. Oh and the small matter of Andres Iniesta, he can play a little bit as well. Frustration would be the word to describe Barcelona at the moment as the away side continue to sit in and clear their lines.
SAVE! First real chance for Barcelona as Neymar slides a low free kick into Vidal and the right-back's effort is kept out by a brilliant stop from Pacheco. That is more like it from the hosts!
Barcelona have raised the tempo in the last couple of minutes as they look to make the breakthrough before the end of the first half and Alaves will need to keep their concentration here.
Rare chance for the visitors to threaten as Edgar Mendez does brilliantly against Vidal before finding Deyverson and the striker flashes the ball out to Torres, who wins a throw-in. Nothing comes of the attack, but Alaves can be pleased with their use of the ball. This is a very fascinating match.
GOAL! Barcelona 0-1 Alaves (Deyverson)
Oh my word! Alaves lead! First blood to the visitors! It is a wonderful cross from Kiko and Deyverson is on hand to turn the ball home at the near post. Super cross and a super finish from the striker!
CHANCE! Neymar sends a close-range header wide of the post as Barcelona look to level almost immediately. That would have been a big, big blow to the away side here.
It is all Barcelona at the moment as they look to hit back in the final stages of the first period.
I suspect that there will be some whistles at the break if the score remains 0-1 for the next couple of minutes. Alaves are just about holding on here as they defend the edge of their own box.
WIDE! Rakitic sends one wide of Alaves' post from inside the box!
HALF-TIME: Barcelona 0-1 Alaves
That score is not an error. Alaves lead Barcelona 1-0 at the break courtesy of a super finish from Deyverson in the 39th minute of action. The home side have been very slow all over the park and they might need Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi off the bench sooner rather than later! What a game!
STATISTICS! Barcelona have dominated the possession with 72%, but they only hit the target with one of their six attempts in the first period. Alaves, meanwhile, managed two shots on target from three attempts. No yellow cards to report and in truth, there has hardly been a challenge of note here.
BENCH WATCH! As mentioned, Barcelona have an embarrassment of riches on their bench tonight, with Luis Suarez, Messi, Iniesta and Rafinha all available. I suspect that we will see Suarez or Messi at the interval because something needs to change for the home side. As for Alaves, head coach Pellegrino has options in the shape of Camarasa, Santos and Vigaray, but his XI have, to a man, been excellent.
When you log onto Sports Mole and see the half-time score at Camp Nou...
RESTART! Barcelona resume the action...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is actually quite a surprise. I was certain that either Messi or Luis Suarez or possibly both would enter. Can Alaves somehow win this match?
GOAL! Barcelona 1-1 Alaves (Mathieu)
So that did not take long! Barcelona level in the 46th minute as Mathieu heads a corner past Pacheco from close range. We are on terms and this could be a long second period for Alaves.
CHANCE! How he has missed! Mathieu should score a second as the ball falls to the centre-back some six yards out, but he fires wide of the post. What an incredible miss that is!
Neymar misses the target from distance as the onslaught from Barcelona continues here.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Alaves have the ball in the net as Edgar Mendez fires home from close range, but the flag is raised. Oh my word what a moment that would have been!
Alcacer turns a Vidal cross wide of the post as this game continues to excite. It has been an incredible start to the second period. Hardly time to take a single breath at the moment here.
BOOKING! Mascherano (Barcelona) is booked for a late challenge on Deyverson.
Messi and Luis Suarez are both warming up and it would not be a surprise to see both enter the field in the next 10 minutes or so. This is Neymar's first game of the season and it would make sense to rest him for the latter stages. The other change could well involve Andres Iniesta.
A certain Messi is preparing to enter the field here.
BARCELONA SUB! Messi replaces Denis Suarez for the home side.
Messi immediately delivers a dangerous cross into the Alaves box, but Garcia is on hand to make the clearance. You have to praise the visitors for recovering in the last five or 10 minutes here.
Rakitic is fortunate to be awarded a free kick as he waits too long to play the pass and Edgar Mendez makes the challenge; Alaves are away, but the referee brings the play back for a foul.
Messi goes for goal from a 30-yard free kick, but his effort is wide of the post.
BARCELONA SUB! Iniesta replaces Turan for the home side.
GOAL! Barcelona 1-2 Alaves (Ibai Gomez)
Oh my word! Alaves score a second in the 64th minute as Ibai Gomez drives into the Barcelona box before finishing into the bottom corner past Cillessen. Absolute scenes at Camp Nou here.
BARCELONA SUB! Luis Suarez replaces Alcacer for the home side.
Little over 20 minutes of this match remaining and Barcelona are in a lot of bother here. Alaves have been absolutely brilliant and it is the visitors that lead 2-1 with 68 minutes on the clock.
ALAVES SUB! Mendez is replaced by Espinosa for the away side.
Still plenty of time for Barcelona to turn this one around, but the away side have been very good defensively tonight and they deserve their lead with 72 minutes on the clock. Barcelona have Messi though, and they have Luis Suarez, and Neymar. So many players can change this game in one second.
BOOKING! Garcia (Alaves) is booked for a late challenge on Mascherano.
Messi curls a free kick towards the top corner, but his effort is wide.
ALAVES SUB! Vigaray replaces Kiko for the away side.
Barcelona are camped outside the away side's penalty box at the moment as they continue to force the issue, but Alaves keep clearing their lines and the home supporters are very restless. Little under 15 minutes of football remaining at Camp Nou and Alaves, yes Alaves, lead 2-1 tonight.
There is a real sloppiness about Barcelona at the moment as the home side continue to concede possession in the final third. You sense that there will be more chances in the final 10 minutes or so, but Alaves are pretty comfortable despite the ball possession for the hosts. Fascinating conclusion to this one!
ALAVES SUB! Camarasa replaces Ibai for the away side.
Little under 10 minutes of football remaining and the away side still lead 2-1 at Camp Nou.
You just get the feeling that Barcelona will create chances in the final five minutes and the likes of Messi do not usually need a second invitation. Time, however, is starting to run out in this game.
Pacheco comes to collect a deep Digne cross as another opportunity comes and goes for the home side, who are starting to run out of time. What an incredible result this would be for Alaves.
Into the 88th minute and still 2-1 Alaves at Camp Nou. Barcelona, as expected, have the ball, but they are not exactly peppering the away side's goal. Not sure they know just how late it is here!
The home supporters are not very pleased at the moment! Still Barcelona dominate the ball, but Alaves are actually quite comfortable and time is ticking on. How much injury time will we have!
Neymar is offside and another attack comes to an end.
We are into the first of three added minutes. Just the three!
Messi is shrugged off the ball and Alaves are getting closer. Still time for Barcelona though.
Alaves break down the field but Mascherano just about manages to turn the ball back to Cillessen. Down the other end, Luis Suarez went down inside the penalty box, but no spot kick awarded.
Digne strikes from all of 30 yards and it finds the stands!
CLOSE! Messi turns a low Digne cross just wide. Wow!
FULL-TIME: Barcelona 1-2 Alaves
Incredible. The referee brings the second period to a close and Alaves have won 2-1 at Camp Nou, what an incredible result for the visitors! It means that Barcelona stay fourth in the table, while Alaves have moved into seventh as they continue their unbeaten start to the campaign. That is just about it from me tonight, but be sure to join us again for more live coverage. Alaves, take a bow!
