Viktoria Plzeň 4-0 FC Barcelona (Matchday 4 Group Stage UEFA Champions League 2011/2012)

Lionel Messi netted his 200th goal for Barcelona during a 4-0 win over Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Messi's landmark strike was his first goal in a hat-trick scored at the home of the Czech champions.

The Argentine's goals helped his side move two points clear at the top of Group H, as second-placed AC Milan could only draw 1-1 with BATE Borisov.

Plzen started the match full of running and tried to take the game to their illustrious opposition at the Synot Tip Arena.

Milan Petrzela burst through a static Barca back line only to be thwarted by goalkeeper Victor Valdes, who produced a strong left-handed save to stop the hosts from taking a surprise early lead.

Daniel Kolar then wasted another chance, blazing a half-volley high and wide after being found in space inside the box.

But Plzen's encouraging start came to nothing, and they found themselves behind after 10 minutes when Messi had his legs taken away from him by Marian Cisovsky inside the box.

The livewire forward picked himself up to score from the spot, and Cisovsky was shown a red card for the foul.

The away side began to toy with their opponents, exploiting the gaps created by Cisovsky's dismissal.

Two minutes into first-half injury time, Messi played a delightful one-two with Adriano before sliding his finish past Roman Pavlik in the Plzen goal.

Cesc Fabregas made it 3-0 on 71 minutes with a headed effort, getting on the end of Isaac Cuenca's perfectly-weighted cross.

Messi then completed his hat-trick, adding gloss to the score-line with a well-taken finish after rounding Pavlik in stoppage time.

Also on Tuesday, AC Milan gave up the lead to draw 1-1 away to Belarusian side BATE.

Milan opened the scoring 22 minutes into the match at the Horodskiy Stadium.

Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic disposed defender Marko Simic and played the ball to strike-partner Robinho, before receiving the return pass and finding the back of the net.

Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati was forced into two good saves from BATE forward Maksim Skavysh following swift counter-attacks by the home side.

Robinho should have extended the lead when he hit the post just before the break, and the Serie A champions were left to rue that missed opportunity when Ignazio Abate fouled Artyom Kontsevoi inside the box 10 minutes into the second half.

Renan Bressan scored from the spot to make it 1-1.

Kevin-Prince Boateng had a chance to snatch victory late on for Milan but BATE survived, claiming a credible point against their heavyweight visitors.

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.

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…

Bate 0-5 FC Barcelona (Matchday 2 Group Stage UEFA Champions League 2011/2012)

Lionel Messi struck twice as FC Barcelona claimed their first away win of the season in some style against FC BATE Borisov.

Josep Guardiola's side had drawn their previous three games on their travels 2-2, but the run never looked likely to continue in this UEFA Champions League Group H fixture. The home side only had themselves to blame for first-half goals from Pedro Rodríguez and Messi after Aleksandr Volodko had put through his own net. They could do nothing about Messi's second of the night, with David Villa salting their wounds at the death.

On Tuesday Filipp Rudik jokingly suggested BATE would just have to "kick the ball out of play and hope for the best" but for much of the opening period the chance would have been a fine thing. The Catalan giants set up camp deep in opposition territory, pitching the ball one way and then the other. Supposedly part of a three-man defence, Éric Abidal and Daniel Alves rarely ventured into their own half.

Alves was at the heart of the opener on 19 minutes as his deep cross was turned in by Volodko, all too aware of the presence of Messi on his shoulder. The BATE right-back was not the only one harbouring culpability by half-time. Three minutes later Villa's teasing cross coaxed Aleksandr Gutor off his line, allowing Pedro to head into an unguarded net as he peeled off Maksim Bordachev with ease.

It got worse seven before the break when Gutor failed to hold a regulation Villa cross and the ball fell to Messi – the No10 rarely needs an invitation. Goalkeeper Gutor said his "soul was singing" after the 2-0 play-off win at SK Sturm Graz that took the Belarusian title holders through to the group stage; it must have sounded like a dirge as he trudged off for half-time in drizzly Minsk.

The mood darkened further 11 minutes after half-time when Messi combined with Alves on the right, superbly cushioning the return pass before lashing into the roof of the net from 15 metres. It was the 24-year-old's 194th competitive goal for the club, joining László Kubala in second on Barcelona's all-time list: only César Rodríguez (235) is ahead. How lone BATE striker Mateja Kežman longed for such service.

He had none, even if the hosts did improve as Barcelona took their foot of the pedal before Villa got on the act after more lax defending late on. There is work to do before BATE travel to AC Milan on 18 October, when Barcelona host FC Viktoria Plzeň.

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.

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.

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

FC Barcelona as Winner UEFA Super Cup 2011

FC Barcelona 2-0 FC Porto
The Spanish champions claimed the trophy for the fourth time thanks to goals from Lionel Messi and Cesc Fàbregas against nine-man Porto.

Lionel Messi and Cesc Fàbregas scored late in either half as FC Barcelona defeated nine-man FC Porto at Stade Louis II to win the UEFA Super Cup for the second time in three editions and a fourth overall.

Fresh from becoming the first recipient of the UEFA Best Player in Europe Award, Messi was the epitome of coolness on a sweltering night in Monaco as he seized upon Fredy Guarín's back pass, jinked his way past Helton and rolled in the 39th-minute opener.

The Portuguese champions were still in the contest until the 86th minute, when Rolando collected a second yellow card and Porto's first red. Barça wasted little time capitalising, substitute Fàbregas finishing delightfully before Guarín was dismissed in the final minute for a sliding challenge on Javier Mascherano.

Both coaches had talked up the fixture and chances came and went during a lively opening spell. Hulk had already curled a free-kick over from a promising position when Víctor Valdés dived to his left to tip behind an angled shot from João Moutinho.

The first true opportunity fell to Pedro Rodríguez in the tenth minute. So clinical when scoring a delightful goal in the UEFA Champions League final, the Spanish international could only loft an effort on to the roof of the Porto net when free in the area after an Andrés Iniesta pass had been deflected into his path via the heel of Jorge Fucile.

Hulk was the next to flash a shot across goal − earning due applause for a series of speedy step-overs in the build-up − and Helton then took no chances with a rising Xavi Hernández shot from outside the box.

As the half wore on, so did Barcelona's influence, the pressure telling when Guarín, boxed in in his own half, prodded a hopeful ball backwards that was gratefully collected by the unmarked Messi. The rest was inevitable.

Porto had little choice but to come out and attack after the break, yet save for a deflected João Moutinho effort and a fierce long-range shot from Guarín, rarely troubled a Barça defence shorn of regular centre-backs Carles Puyol and Gerard Piqué. Instead, there was more space for Josep Guardiola's side to expolit on the counter and from one end-to-end foray David Villa could have made the game safe but his low shot lacked punch and Helton smothered at his near post.

Two minutes later, as the hour approached, the goalkeeper charged off his line to deny Pedro as the striker attempted to bring a Messi pass, which had dissected the Dragons' defence, under control. The real drama was saved for the closing stages, Fàbregas − eight minutes after replacing Pedro − keeping his cool as Porto lost theirs to control a Messi chip on his chest and fire emphatically into the net with a first-time volley.

It would have been 3-0 had Helton not denied man of the match Iniesta in added time, leaving Porto to ponder a third UEFA Super Cup defeat since 2003.

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 3-1 Manchester United (Finals UEFA Champions League 2010/2011)

Second-half goals from Lionel Messi and David Villa ended United's challenge at Wembley and earned a fourth European title for Barça.

Just as in 1992, Wembley provided the setting for a Catalan celebration as FC Barcelona turned on the style to beat Manchester United FC 3-1 and claim their fourth European crown. Barcelona were worthy winners, taking the lead through Pedro Rodríguez and responding to Wayne Rooney’s equaliser with two superb second-half strikes from Lionel Messi and David Villa.

If Barcelona’s triumph at the old Wembley broke down a barrier, this underlined the Spanish titleholders’ status as the continent’s dominant force, this third UEFA Champions League in six seasons conferring the stamp of greatness on Josep Guardiola’s side. For United, this was a sorry repeat of their Rome defeat by Barcelona two years ago. There were dancers with umbrellas on the pitch in the opening ceremony and even the simulated sounds of a storm but it was on the pitch that lightning eventually struck twice.

For a short while, it looked like things might turn out differently for the English champions. Sir Alex selected an attacking formation, resisting the temptation to pack his midfield and instead fielding both Javier Hernández and Rooney in attack. His team raced out of the starting blocks, pushing up and aiming to deny Barcelona the time and space to find their stride, and briefly the ploy worked. Barcelona looked edgy as Hernández hustled a defender into losing the ball on the edge of his area; Javier Mascherano, starting in central defence in place of Carles Puyol then failed to deal with Edwin van der Sar’s punt down the middle, forcing Valdés into urgent action to deny Rooney.

Inevitably, though, Barcelona clicked into gear, and they fashioned the first clear opening on the quarter-hour as Xavi Hernández drove in a low cross that Pedro, drifting free of Fabio, turned wide. Barcelona soon had United pinned back as more chances came. Villa flashed a shot narrowly wide before forcing a low save out of Edwin van der Sar. A superb Nemanja Vidić challenge then foiled Messi but, in the 27th minute, United were undone.

Xavi was the architect, advancing into United territory and picking out Pedro with a diagonal pass. The winger’s movement had carried him clear of Vidić on the right side of the box and he applied a cool finish, sidefooting the ball into the near corner with Van der Sar wrongfooted.

Amid the many predictions about this contest the general consensus seemed to be that United needed the first goal. Yet they responded seven minutes later with a fine equaliser, their first attempt on target. After Barcelona had lost the ball from an Abidal throw-in, Rooney surged forward on a one-two with Michael Carrick. He then slipped a pass to Ryan Giggs inside the box and met the Welshman’s return ball with a superb curled finish into the far corner.

Sir Alex Ferguson had predicted “the final of the decade” and an absorbing first half almost produced another goal when Messi drove forward and after feeding Pedro on the right, was just a whisker away from meeting the return.

United’s respite was short-lived as Barcelona resumed their control after the restart. Although Van der Sar saved from Daniel Alves, Messi restored their lead after 54 minutes. Collecting a pass from Messi, the Argentinian cut inside Patrice Evra and punished Vidić’s failure to close him down by sweeping the ball past Van der Sar from 20 metres. Messi’s subsequent explosion of emotion showed just what the goal – his first on English soil but 12th in this season’s competition – meant.

The little magician could have had more goals as Barcelona went for the kill. Van der Sar denied him with his legs before Fabio denied his back-heeled effort with a goalline block. Van der Sar, on his final appearance, offered a fitting reminder of his class with a full-length dive to foil Xavi but he had no chance with Villa’s third goal after 69 minutes. Although United stopped Messi’s surge into the box, substitute Nani lost out to Sergio Busquets who teed up the Spain striker to curl an exquisite finish into the top corner.

Real Madrid 0-2 FC Barcelona (1st Leg Semi Finals UEFA Champions League 2010/2011)

FC Barcelona took a giant stride towards a second UEFA Champions League final in three seasons after Lionel Messi struck twice in the final 15 minutes, the second a memorable solo strike, to earn victory at ten-man Real Madrid CF.

The third game between these eternal rivals in less than a fortnight proved just as intense as the first two, the balance tipping decisively in Barça's favour a minute past the hour when Pepe's dismissal left Madrid a man short. Messi made them pay with two late goals, touching in a low cross from substitute Ibrahim Afellay to break the deadlock and then slaloming his way past four players to score a second that leaves Madrid with it all to do at the Camp Nou on Tuesday.

Despite Saturday's 6-3 win at Valencia CF, coach José Mourinho opted to revert to the more defensive tactics that brought Madrid a 1-1 Liga draw and a Copa del Rey triumph against Barça in the first two instalments of this four-part contest. Xavi Hernández and Cristiano Ronaldo warmed the gloves of Iker Casillas and Víctor Valdés respectively early on but it was the visitors who took control as they sought to break through a stubborn Madrid rearguard.

With ten minutes on the clock, David Villa – who ended an eleven-game scoreless streak against CA Osasuna at the weekend – came close to finding the net again after stealing in from the right to send a shot flying just past Casillas's far post from the edge of the area. Josep Guardiola's side fashioned another opening through the middle with half-time approaching, Messi squeezing past the combined challenge of Xabi Alonso and Raúl Albiol before slipping a low pass through for Xavi whose shot was parried by Casillas.

As the teams went off for the break, Barcelona's reserve goalkeeper José Pinto was sent off following an incident involving a number of players from both sides. Mourinho introduced Emmanuel Adebayor at the restart and immediately Madrid's attack looked more muscular, Ronaldo going close from an Alonso free-kick before firing over from a set piece of his own.

Madrid's momentum was checked in the 61st minute when Pepe was shown a red card for a high challenge on Daniel Alves, Mourinho being sent to the stands for his own protests. Barcelona quickly regained the upper hand, Villa bringing the best out of Casillas after cutting in from the left.

Messi then took over, although his first goal owed much to Afellay, the substitute exploiting a Marcelo slip to advance into the penalty area and provide a cross that was steered in at the near post for Messi's tenth goal in this season's competition. The Argentinian needed little help for his 11th three minutes from time, collecting a pass from Sergio Busquets just inside the Madrid half and racing past four defenders before slotting past the exposed Casillas.

In addition to Pepe, Madrid will also be without Sergio Ramos – booked early in the second half – in Barcelona next week. The Catalan club, meanwhile, are within touching distance of another final, possibly a repeat of the 2009 showpiece against Manchester United FC.

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.

Shakhtar Donetsk 0-1 FC Barcelona (2nd Leg Quarter Finals UEFA Champions League 2010/2011)

FC Barcelona are through to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals for the fourth successive season after a 1-0 victory rounded off a 6-1 aggregate triumph.

Shakhtar played valiantly and created a couple of excellent early chances. However, as in the first leg poor finishing was their Achilles heel and once the Spanish visitors had weathered that early storm, Lionel Messi's effortless strike just before half-time sent the visitors through to the last four. They will now meet either Tottenham Hotspur FC or, more likely, arch-rivals Real Madrid CF.

Knowing they had to score at least four times to have any chance of a massive shock, Shakhtar made an express start. A brilliant pass by Jadson put fellow Brazilian Douglas Costa through on goal, but the 20-year-old failed to properly connect with his strike, shooting straight at the advancing Víctor Valdés.

The Barcelona goalkeeper repeated his magnetic trick midway through the half, positioning himself perfectly to receive Jadson's shot on the turn following a pinpoint cross from Vasyl Kobin on his first UEFA Champions League start. Those two close calls sprung Josep Guardiola's team to life and the danger signs were there as left-back Adriano and Messi, who had been well marshalled by Shakhtar's makeshift defence, both went close. Fatally for the hosts, the warning was not heeded.

Two minutes before the interval the mercurial No10 escaped his markers again, cushioning Daniel Alves' ball with time and space on the edge of the penalty area. He ghosted past Yaroslav Rakitskiy's desperate challenge before cooling slotting left-footed beyond the helpless Andriy Pyatov. Messi's ninth UEFA Champions League goal of the season took the Argentina striker to 48 in all competitions this term for Barcelona, surpassing Ronaldo's 1996/97 club record.

With the aggregate result a foregone conclusion the second half felt like a procession as Barcelona were content to sit back and retain possession. Ibrahim Afellay almost doubled the lead on 59 minutes when Messi's incisive run left Mykola Ishchenko and Henrik Mkhitaryan in his wake, before he laid the ball off. The Dutch international's shot was well saved by Pyatov.

Mkhitaryan had a good chance to preserve Shakhtar's unbeaten record in European competition at the Donbass Arena alive with 15 minutes to go, but the Armenian international shot straight at Valdés. There was still time for substitute Marcelo Moreno to produce the miss of the match, somehow failing to convert Mkhitaryan's low cross from less than two metres out.

It summed up Shakhtar's night and first quarter-final tie; for Barcelona it is onwards and upwards, to the familiar ground of the last four.

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.

FC Barcelona 3-1 Arsenal (2nd Leg 8th UEFA Champions League 2010/2011)

A controversial red card helped Barcelona through to the last eight of the Champions League after a 3-1 win over Arsenal on Tuesday.

Lionel Messi nabbed his seventh and eighth goals of the tournament and Xavi added another for the Catalan giants, who turned around a surprise 2-1 defeat at the Emirates in their opening leg to clinch the last-16 tie 4-3 over Arsenal.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger will feel aggrieved by Robin van Persie's undeserved sending off after the Dutchman racked up a second caution, but in truth Arsenal were not much for the contest after failing to produce a single shot on target.

The opening period also saw the Gunners lose goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny to a finger injury sustained while collecting a Dani Alves free kick, although replacement custodian Manuel Almunia saved Arsenal from humiliation as Barcelona took a complete hold of the game in the final stages.

Almunia had his hands full immediately after his entrance as Messi threatened often, while David Villa cut back a shot on too tight an angle and Adriano tested out the near post as Barca repeatedly pushed down the left.

Van Persie, frustrated by a lack of opportunities up forward, took umbrage to Barcelona accusations that Jack Wilshere was feigning injury and remonstrated with Eric Abidal, before seeing yellow for shoving his hand in Dani Alves' face.

The incident incited the Camp Nou crowd into song, and they only grew louder as Messi put the hosts ahead with a moment of sheer brilliance.

Gunners captain Cesc Fabregas was at fault in the goal, attempting a clever back-heel that was easily picked off by Andres Iniesta and played forward to Messi, who bobbled the ball over the oncoming Almunia and smashed a left-footed volley into the net.

The Gunners entered the dressing rooms looking downcast, but eight minutes after the break they had an unlikely equaliser.

It came from Samir Nasri's corner kick, which floated in at the near post and glanced off Barca midfielder Sergio Busquets for an own goal.

But their joy was short-lived as Van Persie was sent off six minutes later, referee Massimo Busacca harshly producing a second caution after the Dutchman ran on after being called offside and blasted wide of the goal.

Van Persie pleaded with Buscacca, protesting that he did not hear the offside call about the noise of the Camp Nou, but to no avail.

The sending off sparked Barca into action and they had soon levelled the tie at 3-3, with Iniesta playing forward and sliding a pass to Villa, whose brilliant one-touch worked Xavi into the box for a neat side-footed finish past Almunia.

Two minutes later it was all over for Arsenal, Messi wresting the advantage in Barca's favour with a cool finish from the spot after Laurent Koscielny tripped up Pedro in the area.

Almunia kept the Gunners in the contest with a number of fine saves, but substitute Nicklas Bendtner gave Barca a scare with a late surge into the area, but his first touch was poor and Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes came off his line to intercept the Dane.

Valencia 0-1 FC Barcelona (Matchday 26 La Liga 2010/2011)

Lionel Messi's goal glut continued as Barcelona opened up a 10-point lead in La Liga with a 1-0 win at Valencia on Wednesday.

Messi, who has scored 42 times at club level across all competitions this season, tucked a 77th-minute goal past Valencia goalkeeper Vincente Guaita to leave Real Madrid trailing by 10 points on the Spanish table.

Valencia, meanwhile, fall 20 points clear of the league leaders in third place after seeing their 11-game unbeaten run brought to an end.

Barca's win, their 23rd straight unbeaten result in La Liga, was Pep Guardiola's first at the Mestalla as manager.

Messi was uncharacteristically wasteful in front of goal, failing to convert three gilt-edged chances, each from within eight yards, and spraying another over the crossbar.

Mallorca 0-3 FC Barcelona (Matchday 25 La Liga 2010/2011)

Lionel Messi, David Villa and Pedro eased Barcelona to a comfortable win over Mallorca at the Iberostar stadium this evening, to solidify their position at the top of La Liga.

Messi's first-half header set the Catalan giants on the road to victory, and finishes from Villa and Pedro in the second half ensured that Pep Guardiola's side take the three points, and temporarily extend their lead over Real Madrid.

The Islanders secured a creditable draw at the Camp Nou earlier in the campaign, and managed to contain the Blaugrana during a frustrating opening spell.

Lionel Messi combined with David Villa to create the best chance of the first half hour, but blasted his shot over the crossbar from the edge of the area.

A breakthrough became more inevitable as the match progressed, however, and a quality goal from the little Argentine broke the deadlock. A glorious lob through the centre found Messi, unmarked, who controlled on his chest before heading neatly over Dudu Aouate and into the net.

The flow of play continued in the same direction in the second half, and Mallorca simply couldn’t gain control of the ball. The Camp Nou club ruthlessly struck twice more within the space of ten minutes to clinch the points.

A Sergio Busquets through pass split the static home back line, putting Villa into the clear, and the Spaniard kept his cool to round Aouate and stroke the ball into the net.

On 65 minutes, it was three. Pedro cut in from the left flank and unleashed a vicious strike that nicked off the toe of Emilio Nsue and looped over the despairing dive of Aouate.

At that point, Guardiola withdrew the winger, along with Villa, allowing both players a rest ahead of the midweek trip to face Valencia, and introduced Bojan and Ibrahim Afellay into the action.

The match was effectively over, however, and the visitors kept the ball for the remainder of the match, continuing to frustrate Michael Laudrup’s side, who after going behind were always second best.

The win means that the champions extend their advantage at the summit to eight points ahead of Real Madrid’s match at the Riazor against Deportivo later this evening, while Mallorca remain in mid-table in the Primera Division.

FC Barcelona 2-1 Athletic Bilbao (Matchday 24 La Liga 2010/2011)

Lionel Messi's 25th goal of the La Liga season gave Barcelona a 2-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao at the Camp Nou on Sunday.

The Catalans went ahead in the fourth minute when Dani Alves cut the ball back into the path of striker David Villa, who powered the ball into the back of the net.

The home side maintained their slender advantage until the break, but five minutes into the second half Bilbao were level when Iraola converted a penalty past second-string Barca goalkeeper Pinto.

Messi made sure the Spanish champions did not drop points however, when he netted in the 78th minute by flicking in Alves' cross.

The win restores Barcelona's five-point buffer atop the league, after Real Madrid had cut the deficit to two points with a victory on Saturday.

A flying start ensured Sevilla came away with a 1-0 win against Hercules at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

Striker Negredo was involved early for the hosts, firing a spectacular inside-out left foot strike in the ninth minute that was kept out only by the cross bar.

The 25-year-old Spaniard then provided a moment of brilliance to set up his side's goal, chesting the ball down to Serbian team-mate Ivan Rakitic, who fired home the winner in the 21st minute.

Osasuna ensured Espanyol's losing streak continued as Jose Mendilibar's men cruised to a 4-0 victory at the Estadio Reyno de Navarra.

Javad Nekounam struck a brace for the victors, before Lolo and Soriano added late goals to move Osasuna into 14th place on the table.

Bottom side Malaga denied fourth-placed Villarreal a first win in three matches with a late equaliser in their 1-1 draw at El Madrigal.

Argentine Marco Ruben put the home side ahead after 36 minutes, but the cellar-dwellers defied their position on the table by levelling in the 82nd minute through Uruguayan striker Sebastian Fernandez.

Elsewhere, a late penalty helped Racing Santander to a 1-0 triumph away to Getafe.

Racing's Pinillos converted the spot kick in the 88th minute, following Getafe defender Marcano's dismissal.

Deportivo La Coruna denied relegation-threatened Almeria victory in their 1-1 draw at Estadio de los Juegos Mediterraneos, with Aranzubia scoring a 90th minute equaliser for the visitors.

FC Barcelona 3-0 Atletico Madrid (Matchday 22 La Liga 2010/2011)

A fantastic Lionel Messi hat-trick ensure Barcelona picked up their 16th consecutive league win, in the process breaking a 50-year-old record originally set by rivals Real Madrid.

The Argentinian superstar opened the scoring on 17 minutes before doubling his tally 11 minutes later. His hat-trick was completed on 79 minutes with Barcelona easing to victory over a tame Atletico side.

The victory leaves the Catalan club 10 points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the table with the capital club playing tomorrow against Real Sociedad.

As expected Barcelona settled the better of the two sides and scored the game's opening goal on 17 minutes. The magical Lionel Messi received a short pass from Dani Alves, jinxing his way infield from the right before unleashing a low drive past the out-stretched David De Gea from the edge of the box. La liga goal number 22 for the Argentinian wizard.

Messi nearly doubled his and Barcelona's tally on 22 minutes when Andreas Iniesta slid a perfectly weighted through-ball to the world player of the year. Uncharacteristically, Messi smashed the ball wide of De Gea's post.

The talismanic wideman made amends for his earlier miss when he scored his second of the evening on 28 minutes. David Villa's pass appeared to be intercepted by Tomas Ujfalusi but the Czech defender inexplicably knocked the ball into the path of Messi who made no mistake in slamming it past the helpless Atletico 'keeper.

Barcelona continued to dominate the game and Villa could have had a goal of his own. The Spanish international picked up the ball on the left side of goal before sending a curling effort towards goal which just sneaked wide of the post, a real let off for Atletico.

Los Rojiblancos were much improved in the early stages of the second half and should have pulled a goal back on 53 minutes. A pacey counter-attack led to Sergio Aguero squaring the ball to half-time substitute Diego Forlan. The Uruguayan striker had an open goal to aim for with Victor Valdes on the ground but his 15 yard effort was brilliantly cleared off the line by Gerard Pique.

Messi came close to his hat-trick on 72 minutes when he met Maxwell's looping cross with a powerful header that required De Gea to produce an acrobatic save to tip the ball over the bar.

Messi did not have to wait long to grab his hat-trick as the superstar made it three on 79 minutes. The La Liga top scorer laid the ball to Villa who saw his close range effort parried by De Gea. Messi was on hand to knock the ball into an empty net from two yards out.

The champions travel to Sporting next weekend while Atletico entertain Valencia