AP, Rome :
Alessandro Florenzi scored an incredible goal from near the halfway line to earn Roma a 1-1 draw against title-holder Barcelona in Group E of the Champions League on Wednesday.
There was also some questionable conduct from Luis Suarez in an entertaining match at the Stadio Olimpico.
After an opening goal from Suarez, Florenzi’s equalizer came just after the half-hour mark.
Two strides after dribbling past the halfway line on the right flank, Florenzi looked up and saw goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen far out of his goal and launched a shot from more than 60 meters (yards) over the German’s head that went in off the post.
“It will be something to remember,” Florenzi said. “It’s not something that happens often.”
In the 21st, Suarez met a cross from Ivan Rakitic by the far post and headed into an empty net. Roma protested for a perceived foul moments earlier by Lionel Messi on Lucas Digne.
Messi, making his 100th Champions League appearance, hit the crossbar in the 78th – the closest either side came to a winner.
Suarez, who gained notoriety for biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini at last year’s World Cup, later appeared to kick Roma goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny in the chest after being denied by the Poland international.
It’s not the first time ter Stegen has conceded a goal while out of position this season.
