FC Barcelona 5-0 Real Madrid (Matchday 13 La Liga 2010/2011)

Real Madrid CF's unbeaten start to the season was ended in spectacular fashion as FC Barcelona inflicted a stunning 5-0 reverse on José Mourinho's men in the campaign's first 'Clásico'.

David Villa celebrates one of his two goals early in the second half

Real Madrid CF's unbeaten opening to the Liga campaign came to a shuddering halt at Camp Nou as FC Barcelona crushed José Mourinho's men 5-0 in the season's first 'Clásico'.

Josep Guardiola's team never looked back after storming into a two-goal lead inside 18 minutes with strikes from Xavi Hernández and Pedro Rodríguez. David Villa's double in the space of four second-half minutes underlined the superiority of the home side on the night with Jeffren ensuring Madrid were toppled from the summit to two points behind an irrepressible Barça.

Barcelona quickly forced their rivals into retreat and Lionel Messi's brilliance almost broke the deadlock after five minutes, his sublime curling effort striking the far upright. The Catalan faithful did not have long to wait for the opener, though, as Andrés Iniesta's purposeful burst and incisive pass allowed Xavi to poke past Iker Casillas from close range in the tenth minute.

Ángel Di María tested Víctor Valdés as Madrid attempted to establish a foothold but instead the rug was pulled from under them as the hosts added a second. Xavi fired a cross-field pass that found Villa in space, the striker darting past Sergio Ramos and driving in a low cross that evaded the grasp of Casillas leaving Pedro the simplest of finishes.

Mourinho shuffled his pack at the interval with Lassana Diarra replacing Mesut Özil but the Blaugrana continued to dictate with Villa thwarted by Casillas and Xavi slicing into the side-netting with the goalkeeper scrambling back shortly after the resumption.

The third goal, ten minutes after half-time, came as no surprise with Messi's scything pass controlled by Villa and the Spain striker finishing with aplomb across the face of Casillas. Los Merengues were shell-shocked but Messi and Villa were relentless, another through ball from the Argentinian schemer dispatched by his strike partner on 58 minutes to send the Camp Nou supporters into early victory celebrations.

There was time for a final hurrah in stoppage time as Bojan Krkić sped down the right flank and crossed for fellow substitute Jeffren to flip a nonchalant fifth past a bemused Casillas. Madrid's misery was compounded when Sergio Ramos received a red card to complete a remarkable evening's entertainment.

Goals

Xavi 10' (assist by Iniesta)	1 - 0
Pedro 18' (assist by Villa)	2 - 0
Villa 55' (assist by L. Messi)	3 - 0
Villa 58' (assist by L. Messi)	4 - 0
Jeffren 90' (assist by Bojan)	5 - 0

Lineups

#	Player	Bookings
1	Victor Valdés	33'
5	Puyol	81'
22	E. Abidal
2	Dani Alves
3	Piqué
8	Iniesta
6	Xavi	10' 90'
16	Busquets
10	L. Messi	45'
7	Villa	34' 55' 58'
17	Pedro	18'
Coach: Josep Guardiola

#	Player	Bookings
1	Casillas	57'
4	Sergio Ramos	73' 90'
2	Ricardo Carvalho	71'
3	Pepe	36'
12	Marcelo
14	Xabi Alonso	51'
23	M. Özil
24	S. Khedira	75'
22	Á. Di María
7	Cristiano Ronaldo	33'
9	K. Benzema
Coach: J. Mourinho

Substitutes

#	Player	Bookings
9	Bojan for Villa 76'
11	Jeffren for Pedro 87'	90'
15	S. Keita for Xavi 87'
21	Adriano
14	J. Mascherano
19	Maxwell
13	Pinto

#	Player	Bookings
10	L. Diarra for M. Özil 46'
17	Arbeloa for Marcelo 60'
18	Albiol
20	G. Higuaín
25	J. Dudek
6	M. Diarra
21	Pedro León

Additional info

Referee:

E. Iturralde Gonzalez

Assistants:

R. Diaz Perez Del Palomar
J. Núnez Fernández

Fourth official:

A. Latorre

Panathinaikos 0-3 FC Barcelona (Matchday 5 - Group Stage UCL 2010/2011)

Barcelona make progress as Panathinaikos fall

FC Barcelona ensured that they progressed to the next round of the Champions League as group winners after a convincing victory against Panathinaikos on Wednesday thanks to two goals from Pedro and another from Lionel Messi.

The Blaugrana took their league form into Europe once again and the competition's famous tune before kick-off lifted the players and they produced another strong performance. Mixing a serious approach with moments of flair and excitement Pep Guardiola's side avoided a Greek tragedy in Athens and found the net when it mattered to see off the threat from their hosts. Panathinaikos needed something from the game in order to keep their hopes of remaining in Europe alive, but the loss means that they cannot lift themselves out of fourth spot in the last match.

Crowd calming

Before the game there was talk of the atmosphere that Barça would face in the Olympic Stadium and the home fans put on a show, but that did not affect the visitors. Instead, long periods of possession by the away team silenced the supporters while the Panathinaikos side sat back and tried to keep their opponents out. Occasionally, the hosts did push forward on the counter-attack and Cissé did have a one-against-one with Víctor Valdés and the keeper was forced to produce a good save with 20 minutes on the clock. That did prove to be Pana's best chance of the evening.

First goal

Adriano then went close after being named in the team late on, but Alexandro Tzorvas denied him. In minute 27 the deadlock was broken as Dani Alves pushed the ball through as crowd of players and Pedro ran onto to before beating the keeper. Barça looked to build on the lead, but chances were few and far between and the team had to be precise when they came. David Villa had an opportunity and Pedro another before the break but a second goal would not come.

Same again

The game continued in a similar manner after the break as Barça employed a mixture of patience and pragmatism and began to find more and more space. Adriano again tested the hosts' keeper with an almost identical chance to his first effort. Panathinaikos did not heed the warning though and just after the hour mark Andrés Iniseta combined with Adriano before finding Messi, who scored his sixth Champions League goal of the season.

Clàsico focus

Within seven minutes Barça had a three-goal cushion as Alves was again involved as he found Iniesta on the left of the area and Pedro met his cross to convert for his second of the evening. With the result put beyond doubt the home fans put on a show but that did not help their side as they bowed out of the competition and missed out on a place in the Europa League. For Barça the focus now turns to el clàsico as Real Madrid are next up in Camp Nou and the team's confidence remains high after this latest European triumph.

Match statistics

Panathinaikos		Barcelona
0	Goals scored	3
1	Attempts on target	12
2	Attempts off target	2
1	Yellow cards	1
0	Red cards	0
11	Fouls committed	11
1	Corners	5
9	Offsides	5
18' 30''	Possession (time)	50' 11''
26	Possession (%)	74

Almeria 0-8 FC Barcelona (Matchday 12 La Liga 2010/2011)

Barcelona showed they have hit top form ahead of next week's El Clasico with a superb 8-0 victory over struggling Almeria at the Estadio del Mediterraneo. The win equals Barcelona's biggest away victory in the league, an 8-0 demolition of Las Palmas in 1959.

A Lionel Messi hat-trick, brace from substitute Bojan Krkic plus goals from Andres Iniesta, Pedro and a Santi Acasiete own-goal took Barcelona top of La Liga although Real Madrid will return to the summit with victory over Atletic Bilbao in tonight's late kick-off.

As early as the second minute Barcelona threatened to open the scoring. David Villa managed to manouevre his way past three Almeria defenders before having his shot well parried by Diego Alves.

The away side continued to dominate and on 17 minutes got their just rewards through a moment of Leo Messi and Villa magic. The diminutive Argentine played a wonderful one-two on the edge of the area with Villa before unleashing an unstoppable low effort past the outstretched Alves for goal number 20 of the season.

Barcelona only had to wait two minutes for their second of the night with Andres Iniesta benefitting from a defensive mistake. The playmaker broke into the Almeria box before playing a low cross in-field. The pass was intercepted by Hernan Bernadello who then inexplicably diverted the ball back into the direction of Iniesta who made no mistake in smashing the ball into the roof of Alves' net from six yards out.

The game was all over in the 27th minute when another defensive mistake saw Santi Acasiete, under no pressure, slide the ball past his own 'keeper from a low Maxwell cross.

Amazingly it was 4-0 on 33 minutes with Barcelona resorting to route one football. Debutant centre-half Andreu Fontas played a precise 60 yard ball forward to speedster Pedro who calmly slid the ball past the onrushing Alves.

The onslaught continued when two minutes later Messi scored his second of the game and 100th La Liga goal. Excellent wide-play by Pedro allowed the winger to cross the ball to an unmarked Messi who saw his original effort well blocked by Alves before making no mistake with the rebound, diverting the ball past the stranded 'keeper to give Barca a 5-0 half-time lead.

The away side understandably took their foot off the gas in the opening stages of the second-half with Wednesday's trip to Athens for the Champions League tie with Panathinaikos in mind, as well as next Monday's blockbuster with Real Madrid.

An improved Almeria came close to getting a consolation goal in the 57th minute when the talented Pablo Piatti saw his brilliant 18 yard half-volley tipped expertly onto the bar by Victor Valdes, great concentration shown by the Barca shot-stopper.

However there was to be a sixth and it was substitute Bojan Krkic who inflicted yet more pain on Los Rojiblancos on 62 minutes. The mercurial Messi played an accurate through-ball to the young Spaniard who did well to hold off Acasiete before dinking the ball past Alves.

The humiliation continued on 67 minutes with Messi scoring goal number three for a well deserved hat-trick and the superstar will not score an easier goal. Villa's 20 yard drive was parried by Alves straight into the path of Messi who had the simple task of tapping the ball into an empty net from three yards out. Six hat-tricks now in 2010, an amazing feat.

It was eight in the 73rd minute when Messi turned provider again for Bojan. Messi glided past two challenges before sliding an excellent through-ball to Bojan who made light-work of slipping the ball past the 'keeper.

It was nearly nine on 80 minutes when Bojan slid the ball to goalless Villa. The Spainish international attempted to smash a low effort past Diego Alves who even looked surprised himself when the ball rebounded off his legs and out for a corner.

Barcelona play Panathinaikos next in the Champions League on Wednesday while next up for Almeria is a trip to the Mestalla next Sunday to face Valencia.

Goals

	0 - 1	17' L. Messi (assist by Villa)
	0 - 2	19' Iniesta
	0 - 3	27' S. Acasiete (OG)
	0 - 4	35' Pedro (assist by Andreu Fontàs)
	0 - 5	37' L. Messi (assist by Pedro)
	0 - 6	62' Bojan (assist by L. Messi)
	0 - 7	67' L. Messi (assist by Villa)
	0 - 8	73' Bojan (assist by L. Messi)

Lineups

#	Player	Bookings
1	Diego Alves
18	S. Acasiete	27'
21	Carlos García
16	Míchel Macedo
19	M. M'bami
25	H. Bernardello	61'
22	F. Vargas	31'
10	José Ortiz
15	Corona
23	H. Goitom
11	P. Piatti
Coach: Juanma Lillo

#	Player	Bookings
1	Victor Valdés
5	Puyol
2	Dani Alves
19	Maxwell
26	Andreu Fontàs
14	J. Mascherano
8	Iniesta	19'
6	Xavi
10	L. Messi	17' 37' 67'
7	Villa
17	Pedro	35'
Coach: Josep Guardiola

Substitutes

#	Player	Bookings
13	Esteban
17	Juanma Ortiz
5	K. Uche
6	Luque
2	M. Jakobsen
3	M. Silva
7	Nieto

#	Player	Bookings
15	S. Keita for Xavi 46'
30	Thiago Alcántara for Iniesta 46'	56'
9	Bojan for Pedro 56'	62' 73'
22	E. Abidal
11	Jeffren
13	Pinto
3	Piqué

Additional info

Referee:

C. Muniz Fernandez

Assistants:

J. Yuste Jimenez
M. Alvarez Moreno

Fourth official:

H. López Puerta

FC Barcelona 3-1 Villarreal (Matchday 11 La Liga 2010/2011)

Barça overcame Villarreal in a thrilling game at the Nou Camp. Villa rounded off a furious Barça start with a goal on 21 minutes, but the visitors hit back 5 minutes later, following a controversial off side decision which had denied Barça a second.

Barça’s courage and good football saw them through against the in-form Villarreal in a game with three clear phases: first a marvellous 25 minute period at the start of the game crowned by Villa’s goal, next Villarreal fought back and got the draw and then for the rest of the match, a monologue of football from the champions with two Messi strikes.

Whirlwind start

It was a whirlwind start from Guardiola’s team whose pace and passing were superb as they pinned Villarreal back in their box and it needed a great save from Diego Alves on 13 minutes from a point blank Messi shot to keep the visitors in the game. On 21 minutes though, Villa gave Barça the lead as he brilliantly rounded off a lethal counter attack to fire past the keeper.

From 2-0 to 1-1

Barça should have been two up soon after when Messi and Pedro sprung the offside trap only for the linesman to inexplicably flag them off and deny them the goal. In the very next phase of play and with a number of Barça players clearly still amazed at the ref’s previous decision, Nilmar waltzed through the Barça defence and brought Villarreal back into the match. The goal seemed to have shaken Barça and their followed a few minutes of danger from the visitors.

Xavi and Pedro set up Messi

The players soon put their grumbles about the ref behind them though and the half time saw them again dominating before the teams went off to a display of disapproving hanky waving for the match officials from the crowd. Barça came out after the break in the same way they had the first and they got a deserved second when a quick free kick from Xavi was sent to Messi who played a lovely one-two with Pedro before chipping past Diego Lopez.

Crowd get plenty to celebrate

The crowd were celebrating their team’s great football now as Busquets, Iniesta and Xavi dictated play from midfield. Keita came on for Villa to give a bit more muscle in the last 15 minutes and the defence snuffed out any hint of a Villarreal comeback. With six minutes left on the clock, Messi again met a Pedro cross and made it 3-1 to do justice to an all round performance of the highest calibre from Guardiola’s team who go top with the win with Madrid not playing till tomorrow.

Barcelona – Villarreal 3-1 (1-1)
1-0 David Villa 22′
1-1 Nilmar 27′
2-1 Messi 59′
3-1 Messi 84′

Barcelona: Valdés; Alves, Puyol, Abidal, Maxwell (Adriano, min.85); Sergio Busquets, Xavi (Mascherano, min.89), Iniesta; Pedro, Messi, Villa (Keita, min.71).

Villarreal: Diego López; Ángel, Musacchio, Marchena, Capdevila; Bruno, Borja Valero (Jefferson Montero, min.77) Cazorla; Cani (Senna, min.70), Nilmar, Rossi (Rubén, min.84).

Goals

Villa 22' (assist by Iniesta)	1 - 0
	1 - 1	26' Nilmar (assist by Capdevila)
L. Messi 58' (assist by Pedro)	2 - 1
L. Messi 83'	3 - 1

Lineups

#	Player	Bookings
1	Victor Valdés
5	Puyol
22	E. Abidal	35'
2	Dani Alves
19	Maxwell	68'
8	Iniesta
6	Xavi
16	Busquets
10	L. Messi	58' 83'
7	Villa	22'
17	Pedro
Coach: Josep Guardiola

#	Player	Bookings
13	Diego López
5	Marchena
6	Ángel López	73'
4	M. Musacchio
11	Capdevila
10	Cani
8	Cazorla
20	Borja Valero	45'
21	Bruno
22	G. Rossi
7	Nilmar	26'
Coach: J. Garrido

Substitutes

#	Player	Bookings
15	S. Keita for Villa 72'
21	Adriano for Maxwell 85'
14	J. Mascherano for Xavi 89'
26	Andreu Fontàs
9	Bojan
13	Pinto
30	Thiago Alcántara

#	Player	Bookings
19	Senna for Cani 70'	90'
23	J. Montero for Borja Valero 78'
9	M. Rubén for G. Rossi 84'
15	Catalá
2	Gonzalo
12	J. Altidore
25	Juan Carlos

Additional info

Referee:

C. Delgado Ferreiro

Assistants:

A. Rios Pérez
Ramon Hernandez

Fourth official:

S. Ripoll Solano