FC Barcelona 2-0 Viktoria Plzeň (Matchday 3 Group Stage UEFA Champions League 2011/2012)

Barcelona as Winner Spanish Super Cup 2011

Barcelona as Winner Spanish Super Cup 2011
Final
Aggr. Barcelona 5 - 4 Real Madrid
Sun 14/08/11 Real Madrid 2 - 2 Barcelona
Wed 17/08/11 Barcelona 3 - 2 Real Madrid

FC Barcelona 2-0 Espanyol (Matchday 35 La Liga 2010/2011)

Barcelona re-established their eight point lead at the summit of La Liga leaving the Catalan giants just one point away from retaining the league title with three games left to play following Sunday evening's 2-0 win over fierce neighbours Espanyol.

Andres Iniesta opened the scoring in the 29^th minute when he capitalised on Ernesto Galan’s mistake.

The full-back’s heavy touch allowed the Barca playmaker to steal the ball and charge towards goal where his trickery created space to shoot inside the area. The Spanish World Cup hero steadied himself before powering a low drive beyond Carlos Kameni to assert Barcelona’s dominance on the tie.

Espanyol held their own until the break but the found themselves two down soon after the interval when Gerard Pique met Xavi’s corner with aplomb to double Barca’s lead.

Barcelona failed to begin in their usual fashion as Espanyol effectively denied the Blaugrana time and space on the ball in the opening exchanges. And the visitors even looked threatening on the counter-attack when Ivan Alonso and Osvaldo combined well before the latter was disposed by a recovery challenge from Javier Mascherano.

Barca did test the glove work of Kameni. The Cameroonian shot-stopper was required to get down low to beat away Pedro’s shot before Iniesta rehearsed his goal. The Spanish international turned his marker around with quick feet before he tried to curl an effort into the far post, only for Kameni to tip the shot away with a fine stop.

Espanyol responded when they showed pace on the counter attack, giving Jose Callejon a chance to find Ivan Alonso waiting in earnest to turn it home but the cross was too strong, allowing Gerard Pique to hack it clear.

Lionel Messi became more determined and when he brought a seemingly impossible ball down out of the air it seemed as if the goal was sure to come. The Argentine burst into the penalty area but could only crash a cross-cum-shot across the face of the goal.

Barcelona’s pressure eventually paid off when Ernesto Galan gifted the ball back to the opposition. Iniesta proceeded in flirting with the defender before he turned Raul Rodriguez and hammered a low drive beyond Kameni to put the home side 1-0 up.

That lead should have been doubled when David Villa burst onto Iniesta’s through ball but the Spanish striker failed to hit the target after Barca played the beautiful game at its most beautiful.

Kameni was called upon before the half-time whistle when Messi’s surge forward drew out three Espanyol defenders. The Argentine, in the hunt for the Pichichi trophy, unselfishly tapped the ball to Villa but the striker was fractionally beaten to it after a brave lunge from the opposition goalkeeper.

Team United | Barcelona line-up ahead of their clash against Espanyol

Barcelona’s second goal came from the most unlikely of sources soon after the break when Gerard Pique battled hard to get to Xavi’s corner ahead of his marker to thump a downward header past Kameni to double the Blaugrana’s lead.

Osvaldo attempted to revive Espanyol’s pursuit of European glory as he left Pique on his backside. The Italian stung the palms of Victor Valdes after passing the Spanish defender, and soon after spun the same man in the area but his bending effort was clung to in the air by Barca’s ‘keeper.

The game became tepid until Messi’s burst of energy won a free-kick for his side on the edge of Espanyol’s ‘D’, with the Argentine looking determined to take advantage of the set-piece.

Messi was forced to focus for two minutes as Pedro and Raul Rodriquez shared words in the wall, but it was the same wall that denied Leo the chance of scoring his 32^nd goal of the season.

Barcelona continued to search for their third of the game and when Messi’s reverse pass allowed Iniesta to roll the ball across the six yard box to Villa and Pedro, it should have been buried but Rodriguez made a superb intervention to touch it over the bar.

Neither side showed much urgency in the latter stages of the game as the clock neared the 90 minutes. Eric Abidal was introduced to a rapturous applause from the Camp Nou faithful as he continued his recovery from surgery.

The win takes Barcelona to within a point of clinching their third successive La Liga title with three games left to play, the first of which is against Levante on Wednesday.

Espanyol, meanwhile, will continue their pursuit of European glory as they hope to close in on sixth placed Atletic Bilbao, and that last Europa league spot.

FC Barcelona 5-1 Shakhtar Donetsk (1st Leg Quarter Finals UEFA Champions League 2010/2011)

FC Barcelona have one foot in the semi-finals, with Real Madrid CF their likely opponents, after soaring to a wonderful 5-1 victory over FC Shakhtar Donetsk that left the visitors ruing a hatful of first-half misses.

Everyone danced to Lionel Messi's beat but the goals carried the signatures of Andrés Iniesta, Daniel Alves, Gerard Piqué, Seydou Keita and Xavi Hernández. Nevertheless, Mircea Lucescu will know the opportunities his side wasted, plus Yaroslav Rakitskiy's second-half goal, meant that until Xavi wrapped things up four minutes from time the tie remained tantalising.

The quarter-final first leg was absorbing from the off. The Ukrainian titleholders were already beginning to move the ball with slick menace when Messi flew off on a trademark dribble. Amid the trail of distruction he left, Iniesta seized possession and finished right-footed past Andriy Pyatov.

There were just two minutes on the clock yet Lucescu's side play with the quick-passing verve of the Spanish champions and reacted with such ferocity that they might have scored three before Barça increased their advantage. Four minutes after Iniesta's breakthrough, Willian cut in from the left and despite the improbable angle forced a brilliant save from Víctor Valdés.

Luiz Adriano then had two one-on-one chances against the overworked home goalkeeper, coming second best on both occasions, before Valdés raced out to clear brilliantly from the Brazilian striker as Alves horribly misplaced a pass. His excellence earned him a bit of luck, too, with Willian volleying just wide of Valdés' vacated goal.

Messi in particular hauled Barcelona back into the game, tirelessly dragging Shakhtar's markers this way and that until Iniesta had time and space to clip a pass which intersected Alves' perfectly timed sprint beyond the offside trap. He controlled on the run and prodded past Pyatov.

The danger, for Barcelona, was that the Pitmen played with blistering pace up front and, missing Carles Puyol and Eric Abidal, Sergio Busquets was tested to the limit at sweeper. However, the hosts emerged after the restart back at full tilt. Messi and David Villa had attempts on goal before Piqué, taking advantage of a well-worked Xavi corner, drove home his second goal in as many games eight minutes in.

His effort took a deflection off Rakitskiy but there was redemption for the Shakhtar defender when he directed in Darijo Srna's free-kick on the hour. Following immediately after the booking of Iniesta, which means he misses the second leg, there was a momentary hush at the Camp Nou. But only a moment. Within 60 seconds Messi's run and glided pass allowed Keita thrash into the top corner to the rapture of the home crowd.

Still Shakhtar responded, Luiz Adriano smashing a shot off Valdés' right-hand post, with the ball bouncing back to the keeper. Messi had a goal ruled offside before Xavi rounded things off, in the process all but ending the slender ambitions of the visitors.

FC Barcelona 3-0 Racing Santander (Matchday 20 La Liga 2010/2011)

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.

FC Barcelona 4-1 Malaga CF (Matchday 19 La Liga 2010/2011)

Barça thrashed Malaga 4-1 after another sublime first half performance and finish the first half of the Championship stronger leaders than ever. Iniesta, Villa (2) and Pedro were on target for Guardiola’s men as they ran up their 13th successive leag

Games at the Nou Camp have become synonymous with spectacle and party time and this Sunday was no exception as two early goals from Iniesta and Villa launched another fine win for the Winter Champions, with the only negative point being the first half injury to Alves.

After Pedro had scored the third goal before the break, Guardiola’s men relaxed at the start of the second half and allowed Duda to pull one back, but Villa hit back just before the end to restore the three goal lead. Malaga may have the millions, but this Barça team are priceless!

The win means Barça have set a points record for the first half of a league season with 52, four ahead of second place Real Madrid, who were held to a 1-1 draw at Almeria.

Incredible start

The start of the game saw some of the best football of the season so far - and that’s saying something! Right from the first whistle, Barça laid siege to the Malaga area and playing at a very high rhythm, the chances soon began to arrive. Abidal opened proceedings with a shot from the left and then Alves and Iniesta combined for the Spanish midfielder to hit a beautiful shot past the Malaga keeper for the first goal. Iniesta was unstoppable. Barça were unstoppable.

Leo sets up the next two

The glorious football continued as Xavi fired against the woodwork from outside the box and then a minute later, following a good tackle in midfield from Busquets, Messi set up Villa who shot under Asenjo to double the lead. It had taken just 17 minutes to put the game out of Malaga’s reach and the only shadow was Alves’ injury which forced him off to be replaced by Adriano.

Taking a quick breather to allow Adriano to settle, Barça were soon back in stride and again at their very best. Once more it was Messi who set up goal number three, scored by Pedro after a shot from Iniesta. There was no sign at all of Malaga in the first 45 minutes as Barça stormed through the Andalucian millionaires, who betrayed the fact that they are still very much a work in progress.

Duda pegs one back

The pace dropped considerably after the break and Pellegrini brought on two attacking players Eliseu and Rondón as his team gradually began to get close to Valdes’ goal and on 68 minutes Duda pegged one back for the visitors.

Villa gets his second

Malaga’s goal seemed to spark Barça again though and Villa made it 4-1 after rounding the keeper Asenjo, who after previously having conceded six against the team with Valladolid, is probably glad he only has to visit the Nou Camp once a season!

Messi surprised at winning world award

Argentina forward Lionel Messi said he "wasn't expecting to triumph" after fending off FC Barcelona team-mates Xavi Hernández and Andrés Iniesta to win the FIFA Ballon d'Or in Zurich.

Argentina forward Lionel Messi beat off competition from FC Barcelona team-mates Xavi Hernández and Andrés Iniesta to win the inaugural FIFA Ballon d'Or award at a gala ceremony held in Zurich.

The 23-year-old – winner of the FIFA World Player of the Year and the Ballon d'Or awards last year, which have now been merged – admitted he "wasn't expecting to triumph" this time around after he collected the trophy from his Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola.

"This is a very special day for me," Messi told the congregation at the Zurich Kongresshaus. "I would obviously like to share this with all of my team-mates because if it weren't for them, I wouldn't be up here accepting this award. There was so much talk beforehand of Andrés Iniesta or Xavi Hernández winning so I'm as surprised as anyone.

"It's fantastic to win another one of these trophies and I hope now that things continue going well at Barcelona and that I can achieve with Argentina. On a personal level, I'm conscious that Barcelona are doing really well and that we're picking up individual awards because of that. This time it's my turn to win one."

Argentina were knocked out in the quarter-finals of last summer's FIFA World Cup, but Messi excelled on the domestic front, finishing as the Spanish Liga's top scorer with 34 goals in 35 appearances to help Barça win their 20th league title. He was also top scorer in the 2009/10 UEFA Champions League with his team eventually falling at the semi-final stage.

Current Real Madrid CF coach José Mourinho was also honoured at the ceremony, receiving the FIFA World Coach of the Year award for his achievements with FC Internazionale Milano last season. The Portuguese led Inter to a historic treble of UEFA Champions League, Serie A and Coppa Italia triumphs.

The FIFA Women's World Player of the Year was won by Brazil's Marta for the fifth time in successsion while the FIFA Puskás Award for 2010's best goal was taken by Turkey's Hamit Altıntop for his strike against Kazakhstan in a UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying victory in September.

Messi was one of six Barcelona players named in the FIFA/FIFPro World XI. The full lineup is:
Iker Casillas (Real Madrid CF); Carles Puyol (FC Barcelona), Lucio (FC Internazionale Milano), Gerard Piqué (FC Barcelona), Maicon (FC Internazionale Milano); Andrés Iniesta (FC Barcelona), Xavi Hernández (FC Barcelona), Wesley Sneijder (FC Internazionale Milano), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid CF); Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona), David Villa (FC Barcelona).

Deportivo La Coruna 0-4 FC Barcelona (Matchday 18 La Liga 2010/2011)

Barcelona extended their lead over Real Madrid at the top of La Liga to five points with a 4-0 rout at Deportivo La Coruna.

Goals to David Villa, Lionel Messi, Andreas Iniesta and Pedro ensured the Catalans romped home after a lacklustre start at the Riazor.

Villa broke the deadlock in the 26th minute; his shot somehow making it through the legs of Deportivo goalkeeper Daniel Aranzubia after he was played through by Messi.

Messi was at it again seven minutes into the second half, this time doing it on his own as he scored his 18th league goal of the season with a curling free kick.

Iniesta added another for good measure with a lovely placed shot on 80 minutes before the effervescent Pedro benefited from the service of Messi yet again with a crafty chipped finish just a minute later to seal the win.

The victory piles the pressure back on to chasing Real Madrid who host Villarreal on Sunday.

In other matches, a Freddie Kanoute brace inspired Sevilla to twice come from behind to defeat Real Sociedad 3-2.

Sociedad took the lead through Diego Rivas before Kanoute drew level almost immediately.

The lead was only brief as the home side regained their one-goal cushion just before half-time through Joseba Llorente.

Sevilla coach Gregorio Manzano introduced Alvaro Negredo and it proved to be a game-changing substitution as he set up Luis Fabiano to equalise, before providing for Kanoute's second goal which ultimately proved to be the winner.

Athletic Bilbao rescued a point with a dramatic 1-1 draw at Malaga in Saturday's other match.

Javi Martinez broke Malaga hearts with a header deep into stoppage time after new signing Martin Demichelis had put the hosts ahead with just 10 minutes remaining.

Iniesta tips tough 2011 for Barcelona

Andres Iniesta believes Barcelona may have a hard year ahead of them, despite their all-conquering finish to 2010.

Barca defended their La Liga crown last season and fell narrowly short of successive Champions League triumphs, losing to Inter Milan in the semi-finals.

The first half of the 2010/11 season passed in equally impressive fashion.

The Catalan giants brushed aside all before them, with a 5-0 demolition of arch-rivals Real Madrid the highlight.

And while few would back against them collecting yet more trophies at the end of the season, midfield maestro Iniesta has warned against complacency when the campaign resumes at home to Levante on Sunday.

"We are really motivated to begin the year well, but there is a hard 2011 ahead of us," Iniesta said.

"We can't guarantee titles or even that we will repeat the successes of 2010, but I can assure you that we will be doing our very best to get to the end of this season with our chances still intact to win everything. I am certain that the team won't let anybody down."

"I hope the good things continue ... and I stay fit enough to train and play well. The last 12 months have been a time to get back to normal after my injuries."

"We have to continue where we left off before the break. We put in some great games, including the win over Madrid which everyone will remember us for."

Barca will have a new recruit to call on as they go in search of a third successive La Liga crown in 2011, with exciting Dutch prospect Ibrahim Afellay completing his move from PSV Eindhoven.

"He'll be an important player for us, he's got a lot of talent, quality and he's got a lot going for him," Iniesta said of the 24-year-old attacking midfielder.

"We'll try and help him settle in as quickly as possible."

FC Barcelona 5-0 Real Sociedad (Matchday 15 La Liga 2010/2011)

Barcelona and Real Madrid both recorded comfortable victories in La Liga on Sunday, while Athletic Bilbao upset Espanyol.

Barca were at their best in a 5-0 demolition job of Real Sociedad which keeps them top of the league while Real Madrid remain within touching distance after they were rarely troubled in a 3-1 win at Real Zaragoza.

The table-toppers eased to their victory which was kick-started when David Villa made the most of a regulation chance after Pedro picked him out on the left in the first 10 minutes.

Pedro and then Lionel Messi went close, with the Argentine having his shot cleared off the line despite rounding Real Sociedad goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, before Barca doubled their lead just after the half-hour mark.

With Andres Iniesta through on goal, poor keeping from Bravo allowed the Ballon D'Or nominee to shoot and score at the near post.

The third goal of the match put the result beyond doubt, with a sublime move that saw Messi and Daniel Alves find each other three times, ending in a Messi goal after a stylish finish just two minutes into the second half.

With the victory already sealed, the hosts eased up but late goals to Messi - from a sublime solo effort - and an injury-time strike to substitute Bojan wrapped up the points.

Messi's double saw him take his season tally to 17 goals in La Liga - equal with Cristiano Ronaldo.

In Zaragoza, Jose Mourinho's side continued to keep the pressure on Barca with another assured performance.

Mesut Oezil's fourth of the season after 15 minutes gave the giants a lead which they never relinquished, and goals after 44 and 47 minutes from Ronaldo and Angel Di Maria respectively made sure of the points.

Madrid defender Ricardo Carvalho fouled Nicolas Bertolo in the area after 53 minutes to give the hosts a penalty, which was tucked away by Gabi nine minutes into the second half.

But Real Zaragoza - who sit bottom - were never expected to mount too much of a challenge for Mourinho's men who were in cruise control for the last half-hour.

In other matches, mid-table Athletic Bilbao came from a goal down to beat fourth-placed Espanyol 2-1 at San Mames courtesy of strikes from Spain international Fernando Llorente and substitute David Lopez.

Goals from David Trezeguet and Royston Drenthe helped promoted Hercules beat relegation-threatened Malaga 4-1 at the Estadio Jose Rico Perez.

Racing Santander pulled four points clear of the relegation zone with a 1-0 win away to Mallorca, while Sporting Gijon remain second-bottom after a 1-1 draw at home to Levante.

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 2-1 Valencia (Matchday 7 La Liga 2010/2011)

Pep Guardiola's men managed to claim the three points tonight as they disposed of league leaders Valencia on a fine night in Barcelona. Pablo Hernandez stunned Camp Nou with a goal in the first half to give the visitors a shocking lead before half-time, but Andres Iniesta and Carles Puyol responded after the break to help the Catalans to victory.

Los Che started the game on the front foot and even managed to beat Barcelona for possession in front of a fully packed Camp Nou in the first thirty minutes. The Blaugrana had a few half chances through Xavi and David Villa, but they did not prove to be a sign of things to come from the hosts.

Valencia were growing in confidence and looked to exploit the space left by the rather negligent and frustrated Barcelona. The opener eventually came in the 38th minute when Pablo Hernandez converted a cross from Jeremy Mathieu in the centre of the box to give Los Che a deserved lead.

Two minutes later it was Pablo Hernandez again who was denied a certain goal by a wonderful intervention by Victor Valdes. Lionel Messi had a chance to claw one back in the last minutes of the first half, but his shot from inside the penalty area was parried by Cesar for what proved to be the final moment of interest before the break.

Barcelona were quickest out of the blocks after half-time and stormed back into the game through Andres Iniesta who coolly finished past Cesar after a delightful one-two just two minutes into the second half.

The goal certainly injected much needed optimism and urge in Barca's game as they were slowly starting to look like the juggernaut were are used to see. Cesar pulled off a miraculous save in the 59th minute when he somehow managed to block a bullet of a header from David Villa near his right post.

It did not take long for Barcelona to go ahead and four minutes later Carles Puyol headed a cross from Xavi into the net to score a goal reminiscent of his strike against Germany at the World Cup. Moments later David Villa missed a complete sitter after being released through on goal by Andres Iniesta.

It was all Barcelona from there on, but the Catalans could not round off the game with a third goal. Pedro Rodriguez missed a sitter in injury time and Lionel Messi had a goal disallowed second later as the game finished 2-1.

Following today's result Los Cules are joint top of La Liga together with Valencia before the remaining games from this round. Barcelona visit Real Zaragoza in eight days, while Los Che host Mallorca on the same day.

Racing Santander 0-3 Barcelona (Matchday 1 La Liga 2010/2011)

Lionel Messi, Andrés Iniesta and David Villa all scored as FC Barcelona made a stunning start to their quest for a hat-trick of league titles with a triumph over Racing Santander on Sunday evening.

The Blaugrana dominated possession throughout in front of an expectant crowd in El Sardinero and the three players who started up front for the visitors all scored and had many more chances to make the victory even more emphatic. Víctor Valdés also shone as he saved a penalty and made other fine saves to show why he won the Zamora Trophy last time out.

Messi celebrates

Barça began the game with six members of Spain's World Cup winning squad on the field after Carles Puyol was withdrawn late on as a precaution. That quality proved to be too much for Racing Club, although they did put a keen fight. Messi scored 34 league goals to equal Ronaldo's club record last season and took just three minutes to find his first this term. The Argentinian broke into the area down the right and edged past Henrique, who has renewed his loan spell at Racing from Barça, before superbly clipping the ball over the approaching keeper.

Iniesta scores

Just before the second goal arrived Messi could have doubled his tally as he took on Gonzalo Colsa and Marc Torrejón and looked set to roll the ball home only for Francis to take it off his toe. Two minutes later and Iniesta did increase Barça's advantage as he showed incredible technique when meeting Toño's punch out of the area on the volley. The Blaugrana star met the ball first time and guided it back over the stranded keeper and into the net and the goal saw everyone on the bench, bar Guardiola, rise to applaud the strike.

Valdés saves

Moments after going two ahead Barça could have seen their lead halved when the referee felt that Maxwell had nudged Francis over and generously gave the hosts a penalty. Valdés stood strong before diving to his right to palm away Tchité's effort from 12 yards out. That stop gave the away side even more of a lift and before the break Messi could have yet another only to see his effort fly just off target.

Villa nets

After the break FC Barcelona kept hold off the ball for long periods as they made Racing chase the play as they showed that their enjoyment of playing in confined space and creating chances from nothing has not dropped at all despite winning their second league title last season.

Villa was keen to net his first goal for the club after joining from Valencia before the World Cup Finals and after putting in a solid display he was rewarded in the 62nd minute for his efforts. Alves' sent over a deep cross from the right and the Asturian maintained his position before guiding the ball back across Toño and into the far corner of the net.

Adrián drew the best out of Valdés before the end, but the Barça keeper kept a clean sheet and secured their first three points of the season by sending out a message to the rest of the league that they want their third consecutive title.

Iniesta: Goal so special

Iniesta, 26, settled Sunday's World Cup final with an extra-time strike against the Netherlands.

And his goal sparked mass celebrations in Spain, with millions partying in Madrid and Barcelona.

"It's hard to explain," he said when asked how his decider made him feel.

"All I can say is that I feel very happy, and to have scored such an important goal for everybody, to make millions of people happy - that is priceless.

"A lot of people follow us and suffer with the national team, so to see them all so happy is priceless."

Iniesta also expanded on his decision to dedicate the win to Dani Jarque, the Espanyol captain who died of a heart attack in training last year.

"It's always been in my mind to pay tribute to him in some way," Iniesta said.

"He was a footballer and the idea came about before the final. Fernando Llorente mentioned it to me because some of our team-mates were doing similar things.

"And what a moment to pay tribute to such a great person and great friend like Dani. It was the best tribute in the best moment to make sure he remained with us."

Iniesta Proud To Share Stage With World's Best Players

The Barca midfielder was on hand to answer questions at the FIFA World Player Gala

As one of the five finalists for the FIFA World Player award, Barcelona's Andres Iniesta was soft spoken at the Gala preceding the presentation of the award.

"I feel immense joy. Being on the same stage and knowing I am at the same level as these players [Lionel Messi, Xavi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Kaka] is a huge reward and I congratulate the rest of the players for being here".

With his respect to his favourite memory from a record breaking season, Iniesta spoke of the Barca's European title against Manchester United.

"We have been privileged to have lived so many beautiful moments, but the Champions League final is the best for me," he reminisced.

Seated next to Xavi, Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Kaka, the three Barcelona players were markedly shorter than their Madrid counterparts and when asked of the height difference, Iniesta was dismissive, saying, "The important thing is to strike the right balance in the team and Barca have the right blend."

The midfield wizard also spoke of Barca's plans for 2010. "We have some time to wind down, but after the holidays we will see we have achieved nothing with respect to the future and we will fight to win all titles".

Although Messi is widely anticipated to win the award, Iniesta wished to dedicate the accolade to "the fans of the team who have always been there to support. Our team-mates also deserve to be recognised".

Finally, when asked of next summer's World Cup in South Africa, Iniesta was asked to assess Spain's chances.

"The World Cup is always important and I hope the Spanish team can play well. After winning all our matches in the qualifying round, we will try to get as far as possible," he concluded.

Winning World Club Cup Would Be Historic

Barcelona's Andres Iniesta: Winning World Club Cup Would Be Historic

The cultured midfielder is hoping for more honours with his club

Barcelona star Andres Iniesta has discussed the impending World Club Championship, and said that victory for the Blaugrana in the tournament would be a historic moment for the club.

The Camp Nou side qualify for the competition courtesy of their Champions League win over Manchester United at the end of last season in the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

Iniesta urged his teammates to go for glory in the event and that they regard the tournament as a very important title.

Marca reports that the midfielder said, “This title is important to us and for the whole club in general and also for the fans. It makes us very excited and we are keen to play.

“We had the opportunity to be in this competition three years ago, we have everything to win and that would be historic.”

Iniesta also highlighted that he knew little about Barcelona’s potential opponents, and that their lack of knowledge makes the other sides dangerous.

“Most of the opponents are unknown to us, but to play in this competition they have to be champions of their respective countries and this must be taken into account.

“There is no time to relax because any team can win.”

I Want To End My Career At Barcelona - Andres Iniesta

The playmaker is delighted with his new contract and wants to win many more titles with the Blaugrana

It was confirmed today that Andres Iniesta has signed a contract extension with Barcelona that will keep him at the Spanish champions until 2015.

Iniesta has now expressed his delight at inking the new deal, revealing that he wants to end his career with the Blaugrana.

"It's a very special day," he enthused to Barca TV.

"I want to thank the president [Joan Laporta], the board and [technical secretary] Txiki Begiristain for continuing to have faith in me. It's one more step towards realising my dream, which is to retire here.

"I would like to end my career here, and look back and see all the titles that we have won - that's what makes us happy. I will fight for this."

Iniesta also added on his Facebook page that he hopes that the Blaugrana will continue to win as many games as possible, beginning with el Clasico.

"I don't know how many games there have been until now, but I hope that we will win as many as possible. Starting on Sunday. It will be hard, but we have been training and there are good feelings."

The 25-year-old has spent his entire career with Barcelona since signing for the club as a youth player from Albacete in 1996. He has made over 300 appearances for the club in all competitions, winning the Champions League twice and the Primera Division on three occasions.

Andres Iniesta Pens New Barcelona Deal

Andres Iniesta has put pen-to-paper on a contract extension at Barcelona that will keep him at the club until 2015 and has seen his buy-out clause rise to €200 million.

The 25-year-old playmaker has been rewarded for his performances last term in the treble-winning season with an improved deal as the Blaugrana continue to tie down their stars.

Iniesta's previous contract ran out in 2014 and included a €150 million buy-out clause, but the club were keen to see that rise and ensure that he remains with them for longer.

Barca already secured the services of Eric Abidal earlier this week for an extra season and he followed the likes of Victor Valdes, Carles Puyol, Yaya Toure, Lionel Messi and Pedro in extending his stay.

After being removed from Real Madrid's youth ranks by his mother for being housed too close to a red light district, Iniesta has thrived at Barcelona.

Making his first-team debut in 2002 he has become a mainstay in the team and is seen as one of the best attacking midfielders in the world for both club and country.

Six Barça player in Golden Ball shortlist

Barça have more players than any other club nominated for the prestigious ‘France Football’ Balon d’Or award: Henry, Ibrahimovic, Iniesta, Messi, Xavi and Touré Yaya.

The 30 nominees for the Golden Ball 2009 have been announced and FC Barcelona have more candidates than anybody. Thierry Henry, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Andrés Iniesta, Leo Messi, Xavi Hernández and Touré Yaya are all in the list, as well as another member of the treble winning squad, Samuel Eto’o.

Messi is one of the big favourites to collect the award from ‘France Football’. Last year he was pipped by Cristiano Ronaldo and in 2007 he came third.

Other nominees

The other players to be named are Arshavin (Arsenal), Benzema (Madrid), Casillas (Madrid), Cristiano Ronaldo (Madrid), Diego (Juventus), Drogba (Chelsea), Dzeko (Wolfsburg), Cesc (Arsenal), Torres (Liverpool), Forlán (At. Madrid), Gerrard (Liverpool), Giggs (Manchester United), Gourcuff (Bordeaux), Julio César (Inter Milan), Kaká (Madrid), Lampard (Chelsea), Maicon (Inter Milan), Luis Fabiano (Sevilla), Ribéry (Bayern Munich), Rooney (Manchester United), Terry (Chelsea), Vidic (Manchester United) and Villa (Valencia).