LaLiga title contenders alergic to winning

First half dominance by Messi & Co, followed by major second half drama. Final score 3-3 at Ciudad de Valencia Stadium.

Barcelona came out strong and eager to collect three more points in their pursuit for the La Liga title.

After only 100 seconds, Pedri had a chance to put his name on the scoreboard but his inaccurate effort that went wide of the right post.

Same player tried again in the 5th minute of the match but Levante goalkeeper Aitor Fernandez Abarisketa was alert to deny Pedri with cat-like reflexes.

What Pedri failed in two attempts, Messi only needed one. Barca took the lead in the 25th minute as Argentine's first-touch shot found the net - Messi's 37th goal in all competitions.

It could have been two-nil just minute later as Jordi Alba tried with a shot on goal that flew just narrowly wide of the left post.

Eventually, visitors from Camp Nou did double their lead. Young Pedri failed in the opening minutes but he converted Ousmane Dembele's assist into a goal in the 34th minute.

Barcelona have scored in each of their 29 La Liga games against Levante (86 goals in total). Only against Rayo Vallecano do Barca have a better average of goals-per-game.

Levante manager Paco Lopez must have given an amazing half time speech because his team came out notably energized. They needed 14 minutes to annul Barcelona's lead completely.

In the 57th minute, Jorge Miramon swung the ball deep into the box and found Gonzalo Melero unmarked, and his close-range header flew past Ter Stegen into the bottom left corner.

Just three minutes later, Messi's mistake made it possible for Marti Roger to assist beautifully for Jose Morales. Morales showed good awareness inside the box as he latched on to a brilliant pass and fired a shot into the bottom right corner.

But just as Levante's confidence boosted, Dembele was there to turn it down a notch. In the 64th minute, after a goalmouth scramble, the ball rebounded out to the Frenchman who buried it from close range straight into the top left corner.

Dembele has scored 30 goals for Barcelona in all competitions, 15 with his left foot and 15 with his right.

And as Barcelona thought they have all three points in the bag - hosts came back again! Tono found Sergio Leon inside the box, who was badly marked by Pique and buried the ball in the left side of the net.

Mathematically, Catalan giant are still in the title race but this draw was Levante's present for the Madrid clubs. Atletico has 77 points, Barcelona 76 and Real has 75. However, clubs from the Spanish capital have a game less.

LA LIGA - ROUND 36

Tuesday

Osasuna - Cadiz 3-2 (1-0)

/Budimir 38', 75', Torres 86' pen - Saponjic 49' pen, Perea 90+1'/

Elche - Alavés 0-2 (0-1)

/Joselu 40', Rioja 54'/

Levante - Barcelona 3-3 (0-2)

/Melero 57', Morales 59', Leon 83' - Messi 25', Pedri 34', Dembele 64'/

Wednesday

20:00 Sevilla - Valencia

21:00 Celta Vigo - Getafe

21:00 Huesca - Athletic Bilbao

23:00 Atlético Madrid - Real Sociedad

Thursday

20:00 Real Valladolid - Villarreal

21:00 Eibar - Real Betis

23:00 Granada - Real Madrid