FC Barcelona 5-0 Mallorca (Matchday 10 La Liga 2011/2012)

Lionel Messi answered his critics with a superbly taken hat-trick inside the opening half-hour at Camp Nou as the Barcelona thrashed Mallorca 5-0 in La Liga.

The Argentine striker had gone three matches without scoring, evoking criticism for his recent performances but Barcelona’s No. 10 responded in emphatic fashion.

Messi’s first came courteous of a penalty which he thumped home into his top right corner leaving the ‘keeper no chance, and the Argentine turned in his second of the night just six minutes later.

Goal number 199 followed when Dani Alves’ inch perfect cross was turned home on the half-volley.

Isaac Cuenca added a fourth with his first senior goal and stunning Dani Alves strike late on helped lift Barcelona to the top of la Liga ahead of Real Madrid’s clash against Sociedad.

Barca dominated the early possession but it was Mallorca who came closest to taking the lead when Joao Victor burst onto a low cross only to divert his shot wide of the target.

And Mallorca were left ruing that miss when they found themselves a goal down not long afterwards when Emilio Nsue handled inside the penalty area giving Messi the chance to end his goal draught. The Argentine steadied himself before converting the spot-kick in emphatic fashion rifling the ball into the top corner of the net.

Youngster Cuenca then tormented Pedro Bigas before sending a devilish cross to the far post which Adriano volleyed, somewhat fortunately, into the path of Messi, who tapped home from close range to double Barcelona's lead 21 minutes in.

Lionel Messi had completed his hat-trick inside 30 minutes with a beautifully taken half-volley after Dani Alves swung a cross into the Argentine's path and he struck the ball perfectly with his left foot to move his Barcelona record to 199 goals in all competitions.

Barcelona started the second-half in similar fashion and had their fourth of the night when Isaac Cuenca rounded Aouate before hammering in his first-ever senior goal following Adriano’s intricately placed through ball.

There was still time for Dani Alves to add a fifth goal when he attempted an audacious shot from distance which dipped viciously below the crossbar to ensure a five-star performance from Guardiola’s men.

Mallorca failed to pressurise the Barcelona defence as the game sauntered to an end with Joaquin Caparros turning his attention to the match against Sevilla next week in pursuit of his first win as Mallorca’s coach.

Guardiola’s side will now shift their focus to the Champions League as they face a difficult trip to Viktoria Plzen on Tuesday night.

Granada 0-1 FC Barcelona (Matchday 9 La Liga 2011/2012)

Xavi was the hero in Andalusia as the midfielder scored a brilliant free-kick on his record-breaking 392nd La Liga appearance to give Barcelona a narrow 1-0 away win against nine-man Granada at Los Carmenes, lifting the Catalans to the top of the league.

The away team dominated possession throughout yet looked ragged in attack and had to wait until the 33rd minute to take the lead, courtesy of the Spain international's sumptuous free-kick from 30 yards out.

Granada were dealt a massive blow in the 54th minute when Jaime picked up a second yellow card for a high challenge to reduce his side to 10 men. Dani Benitez also saw red for a second yellow card in stoppage time for kicking the ball away after being ruled offside.

Pep Guardiola's men leapfrog Levante and Real Madrid to move into first place in the league, with both sides in action on Wednesday night against Real Sociedad and Villarreal respectively.

Barcelona, who lost their 100 per cent Liga home record with a disappointing 0-0 draw versus Sevilla on Saturday, made a bright start in Andalusia, nearly taking the lead early on through Lionel Messi on 13 minute. The diminutive attacker side-stepped Fran Rico before narrowly missing the target with a curling effort from the edge of the box.

The away team continued to look the stronger and came close again on 22 minutes. After a slick passing move, Dani Alves chipped a precise ball onto the head of an unmarked Pedro. However, the winger could only direct his effort wide from 12 yards.

The Blaugrana were beginning to show signs of frustration until Xavi gave them a welcome lead on 33 minutes. The captain stepped up to curl a sensational free-kick over the wall, past the helpless Roberto and into the back of the net from 30 yards out - much to the delight of his adoring team-mates as the away team took a lead into half-time.

Granada made a bright start to the second period but were fighting a losing battle on 54 minutes when Jaime was shown a yellow card and given his marching orders. The attacker's foot was deemed too high as he unintentionally struck Maxwell's face with his boot.

Guardiola's men thought they had doubled their lead six minutes later when Messi chipped the ball over the on-rushing Roberto, yet Diego Mainz somehow managed to get back to hook the ball to safety off the line.

In stoppage time, Dani Benitez was dismissed for his second yellow card of the game. The winger on-loan from Udinese kicked the ball away after being ruled offside, with the referee given no choice other than to show the winger a red card as Barcelona held on for the victory.

The champions will be looking for another victory on Saturday when they entertain Mallorca at Camp Nou while Granada travel to Sevilla on Monday, where they will be looking to get out of the relegation zone, and build on their solitary triumph so far this season.

FC Barcelona 0-0 Sevilla (Matchday 8 La Liga 2011/2012)

Sevilla goalkeeper Javi Varas was the star of the show at Camp Nou on Saturday evening as his countless heroics earned his side a goalless draw against Barcelona in La Liga.

The Blaugrana dominated possession in the first half, and managed to create a few decent chances, but Sevilla goalkeeper Varas was the outstanding performer as he pulled off numerous saves.

Sevilla gave Barcelona cause for concern in the 15th minute when Emiliano Armenteros attempted an opportunistic half volley from just inside the Barca area, which had Victor Valdes scrambling across his goal, but the ball flew just by the post.

They came close again five minutes later when Dani Alves gave the ball away on the edge of the Barcelona box to Jesus Navas, who found room to strike a snap-shot at the top left corner, but Valdes was on hand to tip the ball around the post.

The best chance of the first half came five minutes before the break and involved some top class link-up play between Adriano and Andres Iniesta down the left hand side. The two exchanged a neat one-two before Iniesta slid the ball into the box for David Villa, who blasted at goal first time with his left foot but Javi Varas remained big and saved with his legs.

The second half continued in the same fashion, with Varas impressing in the Sevilla goal with a few very good saves. Barcelona came extremely close to taking the lead in the 72nd minute when Lionel Messi split the Sevilla defence with a sensational pass to the back post for Iniesta, who lifted the ball over Varas only to hit the top of the bar.

Marcelino's side had a great chance to take the lead two minutes later when Jesus Navas picked out a pass to Ivan Rakitic, who had a free run at the Barcelona goal, but the Croatian's first touch let him down and allowed the Barca defenders to smuggle the ball to safety.

There was drama in injury time as Federico Fazio brought down Iniesta in the penalty area and the Blaugrana were awarded a penalty. The decision caused uproar among the Sevilla players, and Frederic Kanoute saw red after grabbing the face of Cesc Fabregas. However, Sevilla hero Varas was on hand again as he dived to his left and parried away Messi's penalty. Fernando Navarro received a second booking in extended injury time after going in late on Pedro.

This result sees Barcelona drop to second place, one point behind rivals Real Madrid. Sevilla are fourth on 16 points. Guardiola's men will travel to Granada on Tuesday for midweek La Liga action while the Andalucians welcome Racing Santander.

FC Barcelona 3-0 Racing Santander (Matchday 7 La Liga 2011/2012)

Two goals from Messi and another from Xavi gave FC Barcelona a win over Racing Santander at the Camp Nou. With Iniesta back in the team, Barça stay top of the league table for another week.

This time the international break had no effect on FC Barcelona as they cruised to a 3-0 win over Racing Santander to hold onto top spot in the Liga table. They did so by staying faithful to their usual system, despite nine of the starting eleven having played international fixtures this week. Leo Messi was the star once again, scoring the first and third goals of the game, with Xavi adding another in between as the his side dominated the Cantabrians from start to finish. The performance was an ideal confidence booster ahead of two more important games at the Camp Nou against Viktoria Plzeň and Sevilla.

Messi marvel

For the first time this season, Guardiola started a match without either Busquets or Mascherano. Puyol and Piqué started in the centre of defence, although the latter withdrew injured shortly after kickoff, while Thiago acted as the linkman between defence and midfield. The football flowed as brilliantly as ever, with absolutely no sign of tiredness among the many internationals. The first goal came after a delightful combination play involving Iniesta and Messi. The Argentinian, with just four touches of the ball, left Bernardo and Toño standing before scoring an absolute peach of a goal. It also meant he has now beaten Kubala’s record.

Xavi gets second

The first half was a constant onslaught on the Racing goal. It was only a matter of time before FCB scored again, and that happened on the half hour, when Xavi nodded home a Pedro cross from the left. Puyol and Villa, twice, also had chances to extend the lead against a Racing side that had certainly come to play football, but Hector Cuper’s rapid-paced style only played right into the hands of the home side.

More from Messi

Nothing changed after the break. Barça continued to dominate possession and generate chance after chance. The pace may have eased off slightly, but it was still ideal for Catalans, who appreciated the drop in intensity due to possible fatigue in the wake of so much travelling over the last week. But there was still another goal to come, and that started with Andrés Iniesta going on a terrific run and then striking the ball onto the post, where Messi was ready to cannon the rebound into the net.

Rest for Iniesta and Pedro

The 3-0 scoreline satisfied Guardiola that the team had done its job, and Iniesta, who was playing his first game since getting injured against AC Milan and Pedro, who played for Spain on Tuesday against Scotland, were both brought off early. Keita and Adriano took their place in a game that almost ended with an amazing overhead goal from Abidal. You just never know what to expect from Barça, but it’s almost always amazing! The magic continues…

Sporting Gijón 0-1 FC Barcelona (Matchday 6 La Liga 2011/2012)

Barca's first league win under Guardiola had come at this ground in September, 2008, with a spectacular 6-1 success, and the Catalan giants began this match in familiar fashion with some excellent passing in midfield.

David Villa threatened against his former club with a fierce effort from the left, but saw his shot go just over the crossbar.

The Catalans then took the lead as Xavi struck the post with a powerful shot from distance, before Adriano followed up with a rebound and his effort took a deflection before nestling in the bottom right-hand corner of Juan Pablo's goal.

Barcelona continued to dominate the play after that, and Villa tested Juan Pablo with a fierce right-footed effort which the Sporting keeper did well to save low to his left.

The visitors were well on top and the home side showed their frustration in the 33rd minute when Nacho Cases brought down Sergio Busquets with a bad challenge, resulting in the first booking of the evening.

A minute later, Barcelona were appealing for a penalty as Lionel Messi was brought down in the box after making a run towards goal, but the referee remained unmoved.

Sporting almost levelled in the 41st minute, when David Barral took an elegant first touch in the Barcelona box, only for Eric Abidal to clear it before he could strike at goal.

The second half was a tepid affair, with neither side truly threatening.

The Catalans appeared to show some fatigue towards the end of the match as they began to squander possession, and they had to rearrange their back-line when Abidal went off with a suspected hamstring injury.

The away side created the last chance of the match when Messi’s shot towards goal found the feet of Dani Alves, only for the assistant referee to stop play for offside.

Barca were comfortable in the end, and move to the top of the table heading into the international break, with 14 points - the same total as Levante, who beat Betis earlier on Sunday.

FC Barcelona 5-0 Atlético Madrid (Matchday 5 La Liga 2011/2012)

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo both netted hat-tricks as Barcelona and Real Madrid had big wins in La Liga on Saturday.

Reigning European champions Barcelona were in thrilling form as they thumped Atletico Madrid 5-0 at the Camp Nou.

Messi struck three times, and further efforts from David Villa and a Miranda own goal sealed an excellent performance from the Catalan giants.

Barcelona dominated early and were 3-0 up after 26 minutes, before Messi netted twice in the second half.

The Argentine completed his hat-trick late on, making a run down the left and drilling a shot through Thibaut Courtois' legs.

Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo led Real Madrid to a 6-2 win over newly promoted Rayo Vallecano at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Two of them came from the penalty spot, while Gonzalo Higuain, Raphael Varane and Karim Benzema were also on the scoresheet.

Jose Mourinho's team had gone behind after 17 seconds - the fastest ever goal at the ground - when Michu scored the first of his brace for Rayo.

Elsewhere, Frederic Kanoute struck the winner as Sevilla took a 1-0 win over Valencia.

The former Tottenham and West Ham United striker netted in the 18th minute, before three players - Sevilla's Piotr Trochowski and Julien Escude and Valencia's Aritz Aduriz - were sent off in the second half.

A second-half goal from Nilmar helped Villarreal secure a 1-1 draw at Athletic Bilbao.

The Brazilian cancelled out Gabilondo's 43rd-minute goal, before Villarreal failed to capitalise on their numerical advantage for the last nine minutes after Borja Ekiza was sent off.

Valencia 2-2 FC Barcelona (Matchday 4 La Liga 2011/2012)

Cesc Fàbregas maintained his record of scoring in every Liga game since joining FC Barcelona as the champions halted Valencia CF's perfect start to the campaign with a 2-2 Mestalla draw.

Cesc Fàbregas continued his free-scoring start to his FC Barcelona career with a second-half equaliser as the champions twice came from behind to draw 2-2 at Valencia CF.

An Éric Abidal own goal edged the Liga leaders ahead but the visitors swiftly levelled when Pedro Rodríguez rifled in Lionel Messi's assist. Pablo Hernández's strike looked like it would extend Valencia's 100% opening to the campaign until Fàbregas (77) nonchalantly struck his fourth goal in as many top-flight games.

José Mourinho made six changes – including giving a Real Madrid CF debut to Raphael Varane – from the team that lost 1-0 at Levante UD on Sunday, but the Merengues were unable to breach Real Racing Club's defence in Santander. The 0-0 draw means Madrid have failed to score in successive Liga matches for the first time since January/February 2007.

Club Atlético de Madrid are having no such trouble. The Rojiblancos followed up Sunday's 4-0 defeat of Racing with a repeat scoreline against Real Sporting de Gijón in Madrid, with Falcao adding to his weekend hat-trick with a double.

Levante made it two victories in five days with a 2-1 triumph at Rayo Vallecano, while Santi Cazorla got the only goal against visiting Athletic Club as Málaga CF won for the third straight game without conceding.

FC Barcelona 8-0 CA Osasuna (Matchday 3 La Liga 2011/2012)

Barcelona put recent disappointments well and truly behind them as they resumed normal service with a sensational 8-0 win at home to Osasuna in the Primera Division on Saturday evening.

Pep Guardiola's side had disappointingly drawn their last two matches against Real Sociedad and AC Milan, having been pegged back after taking a two-goal lead against the Basque outfit and then conceding a last-gasp header to Thiago Silva in their Champions League opener on Tuesday.

Those 2-2 draws highlighted the need for a leader at the back in the absence of injured duo Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol, who had come on as a late substitute against the Italians.

Puyol was back in the side for his first appearance since April, having finally recovered from a knee injury, allowing Sergio Busquets - poor in each of the last two games as a makeshift centre-back - to return to his habitual role in central midfield.

Puyol began in a three-man back-line, alongside Javier Mascherano and Eric Abidal, with Dani Alves pushed forward in an advanced role as an extra midfielder.

And the new system paid dividends early on as both Busquets and Alves played a key part in Lionel Messi's fifth-minute opener.

Busquets picked out Alves' run down the right with a precise lofted pass and the Brazilian headed across the area for Messi, who stretched out his right foot to scramble the ball home at the far post.

Seven minutes later, Fabregas made it two after he was set up by Messi's lobbed pass and blasted a fine volley past Osasuna keeper Andres Fernandez.

Barca had been two up at Real Sociedad after 12 minutes last weekend, but ended up with only a point following the Basques' second-half comeback at Anoeta.

However, there appeared no chance of a repeat here as the Catalans remained rampant, with both Abidal and Messi heading against the woodwork before David Villa made it 3-0 after 33 minutes.

The Spain striker latched onto Abidal's clever through ball, rounded Fernandez and slotted into the empty net to make it look so easy for the home side.

And it was, but Osasuna played their part in their own downfall as well, particularly as Barca went four up six minutes before the interval.

Abidal's long pass from his own half freed Villa, totally unmarked, and although the striker's shot was saved by Fernandez, Roversio could only direct the rebound into his own net.

Moments later, four became five in what looked like a simple training ground exercise, with Xavi threading the ball to Cesc, and the former Arsenal captain turning to set up Messi, who slotted a low shot into the corner to give the hosts an unassailable lead at the break.

Messi then came desperately close to a hat-trick five minutes into the second half as he chipped a delightful effort onto the crossbar, but the Argentine turned provider shortly afterwards as he curled a wonderful pass to Xavi to lob Fernandez for an exquisite sixth of the evening.

Puyol had already departed by then and he was followed off shortly afterwards by Xavi, as Guardiola sought to protect two of his leading lights.

Six goals to the good, Barca's intensity inevitably dropped and Nino came close at the other end, while Osasuna also saw an Ibrahima header ruled out for offside.

The hosts had further chances, though, and Villa curled a rasping effort just over the bar with 20 minutes left.

Six minutes later, Villa did score again as the Osasuna defence gifted the ball to Cesc in the area and the summer signing squared unselfishly for his team-mate to slot into the empty net.

Messi then made it eight as he completed his hat-trick, playing a clever one-two with the brilliant Fabregas and running through the Osasuna defence to slide a routine finish into the corner after some mesmerising build-up play around the visitors' area.

Osasuna will have been happy to have avoided double fugures in the end as they managed to negotiate the final 12 minutes withoug further damage.

The northerners, like Barca, had taken four points from their first two games and are now provisionally in eighth place.

Guardiola's side, meanwhile, move up to second, where they sit two points adrift of Valencia, but the Catalans could also be overtaken by Real Betis and title rivals Real Madrid, who face Levante on Sunday.

Real Sociedad 2-2 FC Barcelona (Matchday 2 La Liga 2011/2012)

Two points dropped (2-2)

Jordi Clos

Barça have drawn at Real Sociedad in a game that seemed under control after Xavi and Cesc had scored early goals. However, the Catalans lost control of things in the second half, and allowed the home to score twice in a minute.

Once again Barça have struggled in a match played immediately after an international break. The starting line-up raised a few eyebrows, with Busquets and Fontàs as the centre backs and Leo Messi among the players on the bench. Pep Guardiola also switched back to a traditional 4-3-3. Everything was going to plan when, in the 9th and 11th minutes, Barça had already put the ball in Bravo’s net twice. But despite dominating the possession, there were no further goals and Real Sociedad salvaged a point with two back-to-back goals shortly after the restart.

Early lead

Barça looked a little unsteady early on, but soon found the way to beat Phillipe Montanier’s strategy – getting behind the Real defensive line, which was taking risks by pushing so far forward. That is how both of the visitors’ goals were scored, the first when Cesc provided a delightful pass to Alexis who then found Xavi, who tapped the ball home. The game had barely resumed before Cesc was in action again, this time supplying Pedro, whose shot was parried away by the keeper, and the former Arsenal man was there to convert the rebound.

Alexis injured

The defending champions could afford to relax now that they had secured a two-goal cushion, and concentrated instead on holding onto possession, frustrating Real as they patiently waited the chance to add to their tally. The game was totally in Barça’s control, who played serious but effective football, and the only sour note of an excellent first half display was the loss of Alexis Sánchez to injury on the half hour. His place was taken by Villa.

Real pull back

Few predicted anything other than more of the same in the second half. Agirretxe did provide a warning when a 57th minute effort narrowly skimmed wide of the post, but worse was to come moments later when the same player pulled a goal back for the Basque side with a tremendous header. Just two minutes later Agirretxe was at it again, this time intercepting a careless back-pass by Villa and chipping the ball over Valdés. Busquets turned the ball onto the crossbar, but Griezman pounced on the rebound to score the equaliser. Guardiola immediately responded by sending on Messi and Iniesta and opting for a 3-4-3 system for the rest of the game.

Barça now found themselves desperately needing a third goal, and upped the ante with a far more aggressive and ambitious approach. Villa, Pedro and Messi all had chances, but the home side had grown enormously in confidence, and buoyed by a vociferous Anoeta managed to hang on to come out of this game with an unexpected point.

FC Barcelona 5-0 Villarreal (Matchday 1 La Liga 2011/2012)

Barcelona opened up their La Liga campaign with a festival of goals, dominating a sorry Villarreal side 5-0 at Camp Nou.

Two goals by Lionel Messi and a goal apiece from Thiago Alcantara, Cesc Fabregas and Alexis Sanchez saw the champions exit the pitch to a standing ovation as Pep Guardiola's men successfully trialled a 3-4-3 formation.

Barca's Spanish starlet Thiago put his side a goal up with a fantastic solo effort on 25 minutes.

The youth team product made a fantastic run towards goal after receiving the ball from Fabregas, and homed in on the area before slowing down to send the ball into the right corner of the goal.

Just as the first half was set to end, Fabregas doubled the lead with a finish inside the box after a wonderful through ball from Messi.

Things only got worse for Villarreal after the interval as Sanchez added his side's third goal with a classy finish two minutes into the half.

Darting down the right wing on the break, the former Udinese star touched the ball into the box, set his sight on goal and placed a careful effort into the left side of the net as the floodgates opened.

Messi got on the scoresheet with a goal similar to that of Fabregas, latching onto Andres Iniesta's pass, skipping by Lopez with his left foot before finishing with his right into the open goal.

The diminutive frontman bagged his second, and his side's fifth, 15 minutes from time with a finish in front of goal after a combination with Thiago ended with Messi slotting home from close range.

Barca earned all three points with ease and next travel to face Real Sociedad on September 11 in their next league fixture, while Villarreal will host Sevilla on the same day.

Goals

Thiago Alcântara 25' (assist by Fàbregas)	1 - 0
Fàbregas 45' (assist by L. Messi)	2 - 0
A. Sánchez 47' (assist by Thiago Alcântara)	3 - 0
L. Messi 52' (assist by Iniesta)	4 - 0
L. Messi 75' (assist by Thiago Alcântara)	5 - 0

Lineups

1	Valdés
22	E. Abidal
14	J. Mascherano	34'
4	Fàbregas	35' 45'
8	Iniesta
15	S. Keita
16	Busquets
11	Thiago Alcântara	25'
10	L. Messi	52' 75'
9	A. Sánchez	47' 48'
17	Pedro
Coach: Josep Guardiola

13	Diego López
5	Marchena	88'
2	G. Rodríguez
12	C. Zapata	21'
4	M. Musacchio
3	Joan Oriol
10	Cani
20	Borja Valero
21	Soriano
22	G. Rossi
7	Nilmar
Coach: Juan Garrido

Substitutes

6	Xavi for Iniesta 56'
7	Villa for Pedro 67'
28	J. Dos Santos for Fàbregas 70'
32	Bartra
13	Pinto
30	Sergi Roberto
24	Fontàs

17	Camuñas for Borja Valero 50'
19	Senna for Nilmar 56'
18	W. Mubarak for Cani 59'	84'
9	M. Rubén
31	Diego Marino
11	H. Pérez
15	Catalá

Additional info

Referee:

J. Turienzo Álvarez

Assistants:

S. Castañer
Luis Marco Martínez

Fourth official:

Óscar Marín Álvarez

Malaga 1-3 FC Barcelona (Matchday 38 La Liga 2010/2011)

1Barcelona wrapped up their domestic league campaign with a comfortable 3-1 win against Malaga. Despite falling behind on the half hour mark to Fernandez’s strike, Bojan, Afellay and Bartra were able to rescue the three points for the Blaugrana to ensure their Primera Division defeats were kept to just two for the entire season.

The match opened at a snail's pace with neither side committing men forward and looking content with finding their own rhythms. Malaga were the team who began to test the goalkeeper frequently but Pinto was fortunate to not face any troubling strikes which may have worried him.

As the Catalans lacked cohesion up front, they were banking on moments of individual brilliance to grab a goal as Jeffren almost conjured up the opener midway through the first half. His venomous strike rose inches over the bar as Willy Caballero in the home side’s goal was reminded of his need to be always alert.

But it was Manuel Pellegrini’s men broke the deadlock thanks to Seba Fernandez in the 30^th minute. Patient build-up by the Andalucians was rewarded as the Uruguayan striker converted Juanmi’s cushioned lay-off to give the hosts the lead.

Despite lacking their usual fluency and aura going forward, the Blaugrana were able to equalise in the 43^rd minute. The tricky Bojan was felled inside the box and he duly converted the spot-kick with ease, rolling the ball into the bottom left corner.

As the half-time whistle blew, temperatures were high heading into the dressing room after the penalty but both coaches would surely have been disappointed with their men’s attempts so far.

Pep Guardiola’s men emerged from the break looking a rejuvenated outfit but they were continually frustrated by the opposition rearguard, the highlight of which saw Jeffren hitting the side-netting from a tight angle.

With their first attack of the second half, though, the home side nearly regained the advantage but Maresca headed wastefully wide from six yards after Apono delivered an inch perfect cross.

From that play, the hosts look to have turned the screw on the champions but their relentless search of a second goal almost saw them concede. Seconds after defending a Malaga corner, Barcelona should’ve went ahead but Afellay’s effort was saved well by Willy, who raced off his line.

Barcelona finally claimed their second goal of the game in the 76^th minute through Afellay. The Dutchman proved more clinical on this occasion as he cut inside and curled a low shot into the far post to complete the comeback for the Catalans.

Youngster Bartra added a third goal in the 83^rd minute to wrap up the win with a header directly from Dani Alves’ precise corner.

Barcelona saw out the victory to finish their league campaign on 96 points as they now prepare to complete a double next Saturday when they take on Manchester United in the Champions League final. Malaga ended their season’s affairs in ninth place for the moment until the last few matches finish up in the Primera Division.

FC Barcelona 0-0 Deportivo La Coruna (Matchday 37 La Liga 2010/2011)

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola was a happy man despite his team failing to defeat Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday.

With the La Liga title wrapped up earlier this month, Guardiola chose to rest some of his stars during the visit of Deportivo La Coruna as the two teams played out a 0-0 draw at the Nou Camp.

Guardiola kept Lionel Messi and Xavi on the bench for the entire match, while striker David Villa did not even appear among the substitutes.

Barcelona had 82 percent of the possession during the clash and Guardiola was pleased with the performance from his second-stringers, even though they failed to find the breakthrough goal.

"I am delighted with the result; we just lacked a bit of balance," Guardiola told Spanish newspaper AS.

"Even with regular starters, it would not have been easy playing against 10 players tucked back and trying to exploit the space on the counter."

Barcelona travels to Malaga for the final game of the La Liga season on Sunday, with a marquee match-up against English champions Manchester United in the Champions League final on May 28 the main focus.

Levante UD 1-1 FC Barcelona (Matchday 36 La Liga 2010/2011)

FC Barcelona as Winner La Liga 2010/2011
11 May 2011Daniel Alves leads the celebrations at full time

FC Barcelona have been crowned Liga champions for the third successive season, and 21st time overall, following a 1-1 draw at Levante UD.

Needing a point to secure the title, Josep Guardiola's team took the lead on 28 minutes when Seydou Keita headed in a measured chip forward from Xavi Hernández. Levante, unbeaten at home since 9 January, levelled as a result of two lapses in the Azulgrana defence. Gerard Piqué failed to cut out a ball over the top and when goalkeeper Víctor Valdés tried to clear, he merely succeeded in teeing up Felipe Caicedo.

Winning the league at the Estadi Ciutat de València is nothing new for Barcelona. Under Frank Rijkaard in May 2005 the Catalan team wrapped up the title there with a 1-1 draw, Samuel Eto'o equalising in the second half.

Elsewhere, fourth-placed Villarreal CF drew 0-0 against relegated UD Almería. That result meant Valencia CF could have been confirmed as finishing third with two matches remaining if they had beaten RCD Espanyol, for whom Ernesto Galán rescued a 2-2 draw late on.

Hércules CF, meanwhile, have been relegated following a 2-2 draw with RCD Mallorca.

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 1-1 Real Madrid (2nd Leg Semi Finals UEFA Champions League 2010/2011)

Barcelona keep Madrid at bay to reach final

FC Barcelona came through a tough examination by a spirited Real Madrid CF side as a riveting draw secured their place in the 28 May final at Wembley – scene of their first European Champion Clubs' Cup triumph.

Josep Guardiola's men sealed a 3-1 aggregate win after Pedro Rodríguez's glorious second-half opener was cancelled out by Marcelo. It was also a night of drama, skill and, ultimately, a Catalan victory that means the dream of a third UEFA Champions League title in six seasons is very much alive.

The remarkable amount of water which poured from the skies in the hour prior to kick-off did not help the hosts push and probe at a well-drilled Madrid defence, but as the surface dried the contest became slick.

Guardiola's team do not score many headed goals yet Xavi Hernández's 22nd-minute corner was so precise in its arc that only a slight misjudgement of his unmarked jump left Sergio Busquets heading into Iker Casillas's hands, not the net.

Ten minutes later Barça's trickle of chances became a flood. Lionel Messi danced across the penalty area and forced Casillas to save at full length. The mercurial No10 was again on song: just no one in white knew the tune. Twice Messi went close to adding to the two-goal cushion from last week's first leg. His chest control and shot brought peril and it became red alert when the Argentinian international dispossessed Lassana Diarra and released David Villa: Casillas had to produce his best save thus far.

The half ended with Madrid's exceptional, overworked goalkeeper launching himself to the ground to keep out yet another Messi effort. Without doubt, the goals were coming. The first arrived just nine minutes after the restart. Andrés Iniesta was the magical creator, curving the ball through a sea of white shirts – Xabi Alonso, Diarra and Raul Albiol – straight into the path of Pedro. One touch to control, another slap of his boot to score and Barça were seemingly out of sight.

To Madrid's credit the moment did not break them: far from it. The visitors stuck to the game plan, pressed and worked and finally got their reward ten minutes after falling behind. Ángel Di María gained his first glimpse of open space, cracked a fierce shot off Víctor Valdés' right-hand post and then showed the utmost calm to control the rebound and pass inside to Marcelo.

The Brazilian international edged in front of his marker, Javier Mascherano, and buried the chance with glee. Yet this was Barcelona's night, capping their performance with Éric Abidal's introduction late on, his first appearance since an operation to remove a liver tumour – the roar almost exceeded that of reaching Wembley. They could face Manchester United FC, 2-0 up against FC Schalke 04 ahead of Wednesday's second leg, in what would be a repeat of the 2009 showpiece.

Real Sociedad 2-1 FC Barcelona (Matchday 34 La Liga 2010/2011)

Real Sociedad came from behind to upset Barcelona 2-1 in a fiery game at the San Sebastian, denying the Catalans the chance to go 11 points clear at the top of the table. The visitors, who fielded a number of youngsters and squad players in the first XI, took the lead in the first half through a brilliant chip by Thiago Alcantara.

Pep Guardiola's men pushed for more after the break, but were pegged back by an equaliser from substitute Diego Ifran, and ultimately lost the game after Xabi Prieto found the net from the penalty spot.

The hosts started the game well, defending high up the pitch and pressing Barcelona's midfield before Xavi & co. could muster anything dangerous. Real Sociedad even went close to scoring first when in the 16th minute Raul Tamudo flicked a cross wide of the right post.

However, Barcelona were settling fast into the game and started exerting their trademark passing style. The hosts looked water-tight at the back, but it seemed like a goal was just a matter of time.

The Blaugrana finally opened the scoring near the half-hour mark when Thiago exquisitely chipped Claudio Bravo after being picked out by Lionel Messi. Barcelona continued to press, but were finding it hard to bypass a tight defensive line by Real Sociedad.

Messi had a decent shot blocked in the 38th minute for what proved to be the final moment of interest in the first half.

Not much changed on the pitch after the restart as Barcelona seemed to be in full control of the game. Still, it was the Basque hosts who got the first chance in the second period when in the 47th minute Mikel Aranburu blasted a shot wide from outside the box.

The tempo of the game began to drop, but Barcelona were still the more adventurous team in attacking. Jeffren and Messi went close for the visitors in the following minutes, but both were denied by the excellent Bravo in goal for La Real.

Messi was at the heart of Barca's best attack in the second half when in the 65th minute he collected the ball deep in the visitors' half and raced all the way to the penalty area before squaring for Ibrahim Afellay, who under no pressure at all sent a weak shot right into the hands of Bravo.

Against the run of play, however, Sociedad got the equaliser through Ifran. The forward pounced on some hesitant defending by Gabriel Milito and Fontas to dink his shot over Pinto into the top right corner from near the penalty spot.

Milito had the ball in the net in the 76th minute with a diving header, but it was ruled out for offside as Barcelona were throwing everything forward in search of the winner. However, they were stunned six minutes later when Prieto converted a penalty conceded by substitute Javier Mascherano.

Following today's results, Barcelona sit top with an eight-point lead over Real Madrid, while Real Sociedad are 12th, two points ahead of Zaragoza. Guardiola's men host Espanyol next Sunday, while Sociedad visit Valencia a day earlier.

FC Barcelona 2-0 CA Osasuna (Matchday 33 La Liga 2010/2011)

Barcelona pulled off a 2-0 win over relegation-threatened Osasuna to tighten their grip on a third successive Primera Division title while giving their opponents more to worry about as the visitors struggle to maintain their top flight status.

The Catalan side produced a typically dominant display when holding the ball as the resurgent David Villa led the line in a starring role for the Catalans. Acting as the fulcrum of his team’s attacks, he created chances for his partners, Jeffren and Ibrahim Afellay though quick and clever passing interchanges.

For most of the evening Osasuna had to be content with just defending as Sergio Busquets took on the role of creator for the night in the absence of Xavi. Nonetheless the visitors did create a couple of half-chances that could have the injury-ravaged Barca slightly concerned ahead of their Champions League semi-final with Real Madrid.

After an active start from the hosts the breakthrough came in the 24th minute courtesy of the all-time record Spanish goal scorer, who ended a personal drought of 11 games without a goal. Villa met an excellent left-footed cross from Jeffren and the striker slid to meet the ball at the six yard line and hand his team a deserved lead.

For all the hosts’ dominance though, a flurry of chances arrived for Los Rojillos just before the break. The first opportunity was instigated as Damia’s effort was superbly saved onto the post by an alert Victor Vales. The ‘keeper had to tip over another cross-cum-shot which was followed by a gilt-edged chance which was lashed at and ultimately went horribly wide as Barca were relieved to go in at half-time in the lead.

With the Catalonians slipping too far into the comfort zone for his liking, Guardiola was prompted to bring on Andres Iniesta for Jeffren for the second half. The hosts’ had still not re-asserted their earlier dominance as Sola and Javier Camunas giving cause for concern to the Camp Nou crowd, the latter almost surprising Valdes with a free-kick from a tight angle.

Guardiola was clearly not happy with the scoreline and when Lionel Messi and Xavi came on within minutes of each other, the urgency and probing re-emerged in the home side’s game. Iniesta ventured forward but saw his initial shot blocked. However Dani Alves was able to find the World Cup winner again lurking in the box but the Spaniard’s powerful drive just rose over the bar.

As the tempo had been raised, Osasuna could not live with the opposition and Barca doubled their advantage in the 87th minute. A clinical right foot finish under the body of Ricardo gave Messi his record-breaking 50th goal of the season to finally kill off the battling Los Rojillos.

The win means that Barcelona retain their eight point advantage at the top of La Liga ahead of Real Madrid and with just five games remaining the title is theirs to lose. Meanwhile Osasuna are mired deeper in relegation trouble as they linger just two points above the dropzone.

Real Madrid 1-1 FC Barcelona (Matchday 32 La Liga 2010/2011)

Cristiano Ronaldo's 81st minute penalty has given Real Madrid a point in a 1-1 draw with Barcelona in La Liga on Sunday.

The much-awaited El Clasico got off to a slow start at the Bernabeu, but picked up considerably in a dramatic second half, with Barca taking the lead after 53 minutes thanks to a Lionel Messi penalty after David Villa was brought down in the area.

Real Madrid's Raul Albiol was sent off for the challenge but the hosts, down to 10 men, fought back and snatched a point with Ronaldo's spot-kick eight minutes from time.

Angel Di Maria and Ronaldo had the best chances of the first half for the hosts, while Messi was proving a threat for the visitors and David Villa could have had a penalty when Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas appeared to bring him down in the area.

Ronaldo then hit the upright with a dipping free-kick, the match turned when when Albiol tackled Villa to the ground and conceded an obvious penalty.

Messi converted for his 30th La Liga goal this season, despite Casillas getting a hand on the ball, and the lead could have been doubled when Xavi's ball from the right clipped the top of the crossbar nine minutes after the goal.

The red card did not deter Real who continued to push forward, and the hosts earned a penalty when Dani Alves fouled Marcelo with a lunging challenge to hand Ronaldo a spot kick, which he duly dispatched.

Neither side could find a winner in the remaining 10 minutes, despite Sami Khedira testing Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes, leaving Barcelona eight points clear on top of the league.

The two sides will now meet in the Copa del Rey final on April 20, before a two-legged Champions League semi-final.

In other matches, Getafe snapped a horror run of form with a 1-0 triumph over fifth-placed Sevilla.

Getafe entered the match sitting just two places above the relegation zone and with just one win in their last 16 matches in all competitions.

But that all changed as the relegation-threatened side jumped to 12th thanks to Miku's 76th minute strike, which dents Sevilla's chances of catching Villarreal in fourth.

Elsewhere, second-half goals to Roberto Soldado, Marius Stankevicius and Jordi Alba saw Valencia win 3-0 at bottom-side Almeria, while a Julio Baptista double helped Malaga to a 3-0 home win against Mallorca.

The win sees Malaga just goal difference away from exiting the relegation zone.

FC Barcelona 3-1 Almeria (Matchday 31 La Liga 2010/2011)

Barcelona had to come from behind to dispose of lowly Almeria 3-1 as the reigning La Liga champions head towards yet another title. An unexpected opener from Corona was cancelled out by a Messi penalty before Thiago nodded the Catalans infront and Leo sealed the victory with a late strike.

Los Rojiblancos made a gutsy start to the game, beguising their position at the foot of the Liga table, as they kept Barca at bay for the opening 15 minutes. However the home side soon quickened the tempo and found their feet as Thiago fired over wastefully after some tricky dribbling by Bojan.

Messi then had two chances, the first poached from nothing as he thumped his shot wide but his second was a characteristically mesmeric run as he danced past three challenges. Unfortunately his outside of the boot finish went the wrong side of the post as the Camp Nou crowd expected the diminutive forward to put the Andalucians to the sword.

Although Almeria hung on during a sustained period of pressure, a clean sheet was obviously not the only objective today. Ortiz and Piatti combined efficiently but the latter could not latch onto the return ball to work Pinto in the Barca goal.

The opening half ended goalless but Diego Alves in the away side's goal kept it so as he amalgamated with the post to keep Messi out once more as the FIFA Ballon d'Or winner threatened again with another captivating run.

A whirlwind beginning to the second half livened up a fruitless encounter as David Villa hit the post following the best move of the game for Barcelona. However Almeria shell-shocked the home crowd by going up the other end immediately after and taking the lead.

The Andalucians broke at pace and Piatti's perfectly weighted through ball found Corona unmarked and he slotted the ball into the net past Pinto in the 50th minute.

Unfortunately for the visitors, goalkeeper Diego Alves made a rash decision a short time after taking the lead by clipping Villa in the box and a penalty was awarded. Messi sent the 'keeper the wrong way with a calm finish to the bottom right corner to level matters in the 53rd minute.

The brave rearguard of Almeria was broken once again when Thiago scored in the 64th minute. The Catalans took the lead when the 19 year-old glanced in a header from Messi's corner past a despairing Alves.

The effort put in by Los Rojiblancos was telling by now as the Blaugrana teased the opposition by playing keep ball. Chances were at a premium in the closing stages as Xavi, Inista and co. retained the ball efficiently. And it was Messi who put the icing on the cake as he made it 3-1 when he pounced on a missed headed clearance by Marcelo, cut inside the defender before dinking his shot over Diego Alves.

The victory was a perfect reply by Barcelona to Real Madrid's 3-0 win over Athletic Bilbao in the earlier kick-off as the gap between the teams is kept at eight points.

Barca will travel to Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday for the second-leg of the Champions League, before returning to Spain to take on Los Blancos in a potential title-deciding El Clasico on April 16.

Villarreal 0-1 FC Barcelona (Matchday 30 La Liga 2010/2011)

Barcelona beat Villarreal on Saturday to open up an eight-point lead in La Liga after Real Madrid lost 1-0 at home to Sporting Gijon.

A 79th-minute goal from Miguel de las Cuevas helped Sporting register an unlikely upset over second-placed Real at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

Shorn of key men Cristiano Ronaldo, Xabi Alonso and Karim Benzema, the hosts were reduced to a handful of half-chances from Germany playmaker Mesut Ozil and Argentina forward Angel Di Maria.

Striker Gonzalo Higuain nearly scored after coming off the bench in his first appearance following a four-month absence through injury.

But it was left to former Atletico Madrid man de las Cuevas to snatch a late winner for Sporting and deal a major blow to Real's title ambitions.

It was Real coach Jose Mourinho's first league defeat in charge of a home team for just over nine years and also the capital city club's first home defeat of the season in any competiton.

Defending champions Barca duly took advantage, despite being made to work by Villarreal.

They eventually edged a tight encounter in the Estadio El Madrigal 1-0, courtesy of Gerard Pique's 66th-minute strike.

With Lionel Messi starting on the bench under an injury cloud, the visitors struggled to breakdown Villarreal, who went close on several occasions through Italy striker Giuseppe Rossi.

Xavi Hernandez had an effort tipped over the bar in one of Barca's few clear-cut chances, before Messi was introduced on 52 minutes.

But it was Brazilian Dani Alves rather than Argentine superstar Messi who finally crafted the breakthrough.

Finding space on the right, Alves sent in a cross that glanced off the head of Sergio Busquets before finding its way to Pique.

The Spain international defender used his chest to cushion the ball down and then smacked a volley past Villarreal goalkeeper Diego Lopez from close range.

The win puts Pep Guardiola's side firmly in control of the title race and - with eight matches left in the season - on course for their third consecutive championship crown.

Elsewhere, four goals from striker Roberto Soldado helped Valencia come from a goal down to beat Getafe 4-2 away from home.

The win keeps Valencia third, a distant 16 points behind Real and 24 back from Barca.