Goals from Pedro, Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta allowed Barcelona to secure a comfortable 3-0 victory over Racing Santander at the Camp Nou this evening to edge further clear the top of the Primera Division.The Blaugrana took the lead after just ninety seconds of play, and Messi's penalty before the break was added to by Iniesta's low shot in the second period, to extend the gap to Real Madrid to seven points, with Los Blancos facing Mallorca tomorrow.
Visiting coach Miguel Angel Portugal would have sent his side out with the message to remain tight in the early stages, but his players did not heed the warning.
Just ninety seconds had passed when Messi and Villa shared an intricate one-two, with the former lifting the ball across goal into the path of Pedro, who chested the ball over the line.
Portugal simply looked on in fear, knowing that his team could potentially have been on the end of a thrashing.
But to their credit the Verdiblancos dug in, and defended well for the next half hour, but could not get out of their own half, and goalkeeper Tono, who was fantastic despite the scoreline, produced a fantastic double save to deny Messi, then Carles Puyol from point-blank range.
But eventually their resistance was broken down. Henrique left out a foot as David Villa skipped past him inside the area, and the referee had no choice but to point to the spot. Messi stepped up and rolled home the kick with aplomb.
The away side were not without their chances, however; Markus Rosenberg forced Valdes into a smart save, then the gloves man pulled off a fantastic fingertip save from a thumping Adrian header.
But there was never any danger of Racing ever taking something from the match, and Andres Iniesta ensured that the points were remaining in Catalunya.
A precise move ended with Messi flicking the ball exquisitely into the Spaniard's path, and his low shot took a nick off a defender before flying into the corner of the net.
Pep Guardiola then gave rest to midfield maestro Xavi, and his team, knowing the win had been secured, took their foot off the pedal in the closing minutes.
Barca heap the pressure on Real Madrid at the top of the table and continue to look formidable, while Racing remain in a relegation fight at the foot of the division.
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