International Desk: Few days ago in last match, Barcelona lost in Spanish La liga. Lionel Messi's stunning free-kick secured Barcelona a last-gasp draw, but failing to win at Villarreal was a damaging result given La Liga leaders Real Madrid's indomitable form.
He saved Barcelona from its second straight defeat by scoring with a 90th-minute free kick in the Spanish league on Sunday.
The Argentinian magician may have prevented the Yellow Submarine winning this fixture for the first time since 2008, but it continued a disappointing start to the year for Luis Enrique's side.
Three days after losing 2-1 to Athletic Bilbao in a first-leg match in the last 16 of the Copa del Rey, Barcelona failed to break through until Messi produced his superb strike from the edge of the area.
The Argentine found the top corner with a curling, left-footed shot that left the wall ineffective, with Villarreal goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo wrong-footed.
"We deserved more, we deserved to win, but in the end we were able to salvage a point," Barcelona coach Luis Enrique said.
Messi, who earned the free kick after being fouled just outside the box, had already been denied by the post after a shot from inside the area in the 73rd.