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Luis Enrique lives another day as Barcelona leaves it late to get past Leganes

Albert Gea / Reuters

Entering Sunday's La Liga match between Barcelona and CD Leganes, there was one big question: How will the Blaugrana react to its humiliating defeat at Paris-Saint Germain in the Champions League?

The answer: Not well, but just well enough.

Looking to recover its dignity after Tuesday's trouncing at the Parc des Princes, Barcelona got out of jail with a 2-1 victory over Leganes as Lionel Messi scored his 18th and 19th goals of the 2016-17 La Liga. But the Catalan club only tallied three points after the Argentinian phenom converted a penalty kick in the 90th minute, and otherwise lacked rhythm throughout the game.

If it weren't for Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Barcelona may very well have lost to Leganes, a club hovering above La Liga's relegation zone. Los Pepineros were unlucky to not take the lead after Messi opened the scoring in only the fourth minute, as Unai Lopez's equaliser in the 71st minute marked the only time Asier Garitano's side could beat the German 'keeper.

With the win, Barcelona, who played with only one Spanish player in its starting XI for the first time in history, is one point behind Real Madrid at the summit of La Liga. However, Los Blancos have two fixtures in hand.

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