Barcelona struck in the final minutes of the game to defeat Granada 2-0 yesterday.

A stunning 87th-minute goal from substitute Xavi set Barcelona on their way to a hard-fought Primera Division victory over Granada at the Nou Camp.

Xavi, a 53rd-minute replacement for Thiago Alcantara, finally broke the deadlock with a sublime goal three minutes from time, latching onto the ball on the edge of the box and bending a brilliant shot with the outside of his right foot into the top-left corner via the bar.

It was tough on Granada, whose goalkeeper Tono had been in inspired form throughout, and their dismay was complete in stoppage time when Borja Gomez put through his own net from Lionel Messi's cross.