Pape Diop - Eibar 2019-20Getty

Pape Diop's Eibar see unbeaten run stopped by Barcelona

Senegal midfielder Pape Diop played the entire match for Eibar whose four-match La Liga unbeaten run came to a halt following a 3-0 thumping by Barcelona at Ipurua Municipal Stadium on Saturday.

Diop was booked in the 24th minute as Eibar went on to lose after goals from Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Antonio Griezmann, their first league defeat since September 15.

Interestingly, their previous defeat was at home as well, a 2-1 defeat to Espanyol before recovering to register two wins and as many draws with Diop featuring in three of the four games.

Article continues below

It was a run that helped the Gunsmiths climb out of the relegation zone, but following Saturday’s defeat they remained on 14th spot on the table.

They could, however, be dislodged from that position if Real Mallorca, Celta Vigo, Deportivo Alaves or Real Betis win their respective matches this weekend.

After featuring for 90 minutes on Saturday, Diop has now started seven of Eibar’s nine league games.

Guinea-Bissau-born and Spain youth international forward Ansu Fati did not come off the Barcelona bench on Saturday while Diop’s Senegalese compatriot Moussa Wague was not even among Barca’s substitutes.

Advertisement