Barcelona secured an impressive 2-0 La Liga win at home to Almeria as Gerard Pique bid farewell to the Camp Nou.
Pique announced his intention to retire from Barcelona earlier this week and tonight marked his final home game for La Blaugrana.
The veteran defender was raised aloft by his teammates at full time with the Camp Nou crowd gifting him with a standing ovation following his late substitution.
🙌🆙
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🙌🆙 #Sempr3 @3gerardpique pic.twitter.com/v2txQvUdae— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 5, 2022
Gerard Piqué bows out for the last time in front of the Barcelona fans 🔵🔴
Emotional scenes as a career full of incredible Camp Nou moments comes to a close 😢
The end of an era 👏 pic.twitter.com/lq1aWAkal7
— Viaplay Sports UK (@ViaplaySportsUK) November 5, 2022
Three points were a sideshow on the night for Xavi’s hosts, with Pique taking centre stage, as Robert Lewandowski missed an early penalty.
Robert Lewandowski's stutter step approach ends with him putting a penalty wide 😱
He appeared to offer Piqué the chance to take it, but Barcelona's captain for the night deferred to his star striker 😬 pic.twitter.com/qgfMoF7K9i
— Viaplay Sports UK (@ViaplaySportsUK) November 5, 2022
Barcelona were frustrated in front of goal before the break before Ousmane Dembele tiptoed into the box and steered them in front just after the restart.
Brilliant from Ousmane Dembélé! 🔥
Great dribbling from the Barcelona winger and a finish to match 👏 pic.twitter.com/w1xbrv8hO6
— Viaplay Sports UK (@ViaplaySportsUK) November 5, 2022
That calmed Barcelona nerves late on, as Frenkie de Jong poked home after Ansu Fati’s effort was saved.
Frenkie de Jong doubles Barca's lead! 🔵🔴
An emphatic finish from the Dutchman 💥 pic.twitter.com/ehtEACZLl3
— Viaplay Sports UK (@ViaplaySportsUK) November 5, 2022
Fati and Lewandowski were denied a third goal late on as Pique departed the pitch in the final minutes.
Pique could potentially feature at Osasuna in midweek, with his contract still running ahead of the World Cup break, with Almeria hosting Getafe.
Images via Getty Images
