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

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 2-2 AC Milan (Matchday 1 Group Stage UEFA Champions League 2011/2012)

AC Milan secured a gutsy 2-2 draw against European champions FC Barcelona thanks to goals in the first and final seconds of an absorbing match in Catalonia.

Pato gave the visitors a dream start when he notched the quickest matchday one goal in UEFA Champions League history, only for Pedro Rodríguez and David Villa, showpiece scorers last term, to reply either side of half-time. After a Lionel Messi masterclass it looked as if Josep Guardiola's side would top Group H, only for Thiago Silva's added-time header to restrict them to a point.

Milan's opener, after 25 seconds, was a mixture of audacity, vision and power. Pato swivelled in midfield and spotted that centre-backs Javier Mascherano and Sergio Busquets were holding a high line. His explosive burst between them left the pair in his wake. Pato then dealt with Víctor Valdés, celebrated for his one-on-one saves, by calmly slotting under the advancing keeper. A marvellous way to inaugurate the new season.

It was immediately clear that Massimilliano Allegri had ordered Pato to unleash his pace with Barcelona club captain Carles Puyol starting on the bench. The striker continued to cause trouble until Guardiola placed Éric Abidal on man-marking duties. With ten minutes gone, the hosts had reasserted themselves.

Messi began his personal vendetta against the shock scoreline by forcing Christian Abbiati's first save. For the next 24 minutes it was, simply, the Messi show. His follow-up was a free-kick cracked off Abbiati's left-hand post and just before the half-hour the keeper needed a strong hand to block the Argentinian's low shot. Then again; the breakthrough was imminent.

Barcelona's mercurial No10 was, inevitably, at the heart of it, leaving Mark van Bommel, Alessandro Nesta and Ignazio Abate standing with a searing burst of pace before squaring for Pedro to tap in the equaliser. Both sides made enforced changes before the break – Massimo Ambrosini for Kevin-Prince Boateng and Cesc Fàbregas for Andrés Iniesta.

Within five minutes of the restart Barcelona underlined their champion credentials. From 30 metres Villa hammered a free-kick into Abbiati's top right corner to make it 2-1. The goal brought further Barça possession, but no reward as Milan drew on every shred of experience to stay in the match – harassing, pressing and sniffing openings. Two minutes into added time Clarence Seedorf's corner created one and Thiago emphatically pounced.

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.

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.

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.

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

Arsenal FC scored two stunning goals in the last 12 minutes to secure their first ever victory over FC Barcelona and give themselves the advantage in another high-class duel between these two European giants.

David Villa gave the 2009 UEFA Champions League winners the initiative midway through the first half and though Lionel Messi contrived to miss a couple of gilt-edged opportunities, it seemed it would be enough. Robin van Persie put his side level with a shot that wrong-footed Víctor Valdés before substitute Andrey Arshavin fired a dramatic winner.

Arsenal had promised a more resolute, mature proposition for Barcelona to deal with compared to the team that had almost lost last season's quarter-final in the first leg, going 2-0 down before mounting a fightback. The Gunners threatened first when Samir Nasri's free-kick narrowly cleared all his team-mates and carried through to Valdés.

Theo Walcott then overhit his pass to Van Persie following a scintillating run but the speedy winger was soon back on the prowl. This time his pass found Cesc Fàbregas who scooped a lovely ball to give Van Persie a scoring chance at the far post: Valdés did well to parry.

The visitors began to knit their passes together and there was something ominous in the space Daniel Alves was afforded and in Messi's hunger for the ball.

Messi and Villa combined with a couple of lovely touches which sent the former streaking through with only Wojciech Szczęsny to beat. Credit the goalkeeper, making his European debut, for spreading himself and forcing the world's supreme talent to steer his chip wide.

A swift Arsenal counter saw Fabregas loft the ball out of Valdés's reach but Éric Abidal was on hand to head away. It only proved the preamble to Barcelona's opening goal, however, with Messi and Villa swapping roles to devastating effect. Messi played the decisive pass to put the Spanish predator in the clear and this time Szczęsny could not keep it out.

Van Persie sliced another opening wide but these were becoming rare opportunities for the Gunners. After the break Arsenal tried all they knew to find their traditional smooth groove. Jack Wilshere fired off a shot at the start of the second half and Van Persie another 20 minutes in but they were no test for a keeper of Valdés's class.

In their desperation Arsenal became prone to giving the ball away. It nearly proved costly as Andrés Iniesta fed Messi but once more his luck was out as his shot flew into the side-netting. Then the game changed, Van Persie finding a gap between Valdés and his near post following an exquisite chip forward by Gaël Clichy.

The crowd roared their team on for a second and when Nasri broke away five minutes later Arshavin arrived on cue in the penalty area to shoot beyond the goalkeeper. There was late pressure on the home team but they survived and now head for the round of 16 second leg with plenty of confidence.

Sporting de Gijon 1-1 FC Barcelona (Matchday 23 La Liga 2010/2011)

Barcelona could only take one point home from Asturias as an early goal and some resolute defending earned Sporting Gijon a hard-fought draw.

David Barral secured the lead for Sporting Gijon in the 17th minute, and it wasn't until the 80th minute that David Villa was able to cancel out the strike with a fantastic equalising goal. The Blaugrana kept seeking the winner but were unable to find it.

Barcelona came close early on, as Messi played a great ball to Iniesta in the 3rd minute. Iniesta fired a shot towards goal, forcing a great save from Pichu.

It was Sporting who eventually opened the scoring however, after David Barral scored a great goal in the 17th minute. He cut in from the left wing, exposing Diego Milito and he made no mistake in firing the shot past Valdes into the bottom corner.

Sporting did a fantastic job of defending their lead in the next few minutes, cutting out numerous through balls and stopping some deadly runs from Iniesta and Messi.

Barcelona did not look their fluid best in the first half hour. Gijon did a fantastic job of preventing them from creating chances, but in truth they should still have been able to create more than they did.

Afellay came close to levelling the game in the 29th minute, after picking up the ball from a wonderful passing move, and firing a shot from 20 yards just wide.

Sporting again came forward on the half hour mark, with David Barral charging forward into the box, but Pique made a vital tackle to deny the Asturians. De Las Cuevas was to the side of him, and the pass would have been a much better option to put
Gijon two up.

Barcelona began to control the game in the manner we have come to expect after half an hour, connecting well and dominating possession. Iniesta came devastatingly close to an equalising goal in the 33rd minute, making a lovely run from the left wing, and forcing another great
save from Pichu.

Despite being in control for most of the first half, Barcelona were unable to find an equaliser before half-time, and the half ended 1-0. Sporting looked good value for the lead at this point,
defending well and denying Barcelona the opportunity to turn their possession into goals.

Both sides exchanged chances in the opening minutes of the second half, with De La Cuevas and Villa both having a pop, but neither were able to trouble the opposition keeper.

Barcelona again came close on the 49th minute, with Villa and Messi exchanging passes in front of a packed defense, which they could find no way past.

The introduction of Pedro for the second half added some much needed energy to the front-three, with Messi and Villa seemingly feeding off of his energy and improving
vastly at the beginning of the half.

Barcelona came within touching distance of an equaliser in the 54th minute, after a great cross from Alves on the right wing found Xavi in the centre, but Pichu was on hand once again to make a vital interception.

Just minutes later Barcelona were denied again, as Messi unleashed a powerful effort from inside the box, both saved brilliantly by the Sporting custodian.

Sporting again threatened, but Valdes came out of the box to get the ball out of danger in elaborate fashion.

The Catalans, desperate for an equaliser, took a far more attacking approach after the hour mark, replacing Milito for Keita.

David Villa finally found the goal that the Blaugrana had been seeking with an audacious chip over Pichu, who was caught well off his line. The keeper had been having a fantastic
game, but will have to take at least some of the blame for the equaliser.

Pedro came close to taking the lead for Barcelona in the 87th minute, after some great play from Messi set him free, but he knocked the ball wide, inches from goal.

The referee played 5 minutes of injury time, allowing Barcelona the opportunity to win the game, but it was ultimately and opportunity they couldn't take, as the game ended 1-1.

The draw hands Real Madrid the opportunity to close the gap on Barcelona to just 5 points, should they beat Espanyol tomorrow night. Sporting will be happy to take a point from this difficult fixture, as a point can often make the difference in a tight relegation battle.

FC Barcelona 5-0 Almeria (1st Leg Semi Finals Copa del Rey 2010/2011)

Barça got the job done with an excellent result in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi final against Almeria. Goals from Messi (2), Villa and Pedro in the first half and a late strike from Keita have FCB as good as in the final.

Almeria have been absolutely torn apart by Barça this season. After crashing to 8-0 home defeat in the league, today the Catalans inflicted a resounding 5-0 defeat on the Andalusians, a result which almost certainly seems to have put and end to their Copa del Rey adventure. In a splendid first half hour, Barça had already scored four.

3-0 in 15 minutes

Barça started like lightning against a side that came to the Camp Nou with an ambitious game plan. It didn’t work out, for the game was only 8 minutes old when Messi’s shot from the edge of the area slipped through the hands of goalkeeper Esteban to make it 1-0. Moments later, Villa finished off a counter-attack started by Xavi with yet another goal that Esteban really should have been able to prevent (min 11).

Oltra’s side continued playing deep and almost pulled one back from an indirect free kick inside the area, but Goitom hit the side netting. But with the opposition coming at them, Barça had acres of space in which to produce counter attacks, and Almeria once again paid the price for their daredevil approach when Messi struck home a beautiful effort to make it three. And that was after only a quarter of an hour!

Infallible Pedro

Their ambition thwarted, Almeria finally opted take a more defensive line, and their forays on the Barça half became rarer and rarer. Barça resorted to their usual possession game, stringing together passes with ease. The goal that made it 4-0 came from a set piece. Xavi crossed in a wide free kick, and there was Pedro to head the ball home in his 100th appearance for the club.

Barça in control

In an electrifying encounter, the respective goalkeepers both produced excellent saves before the half was over, Alemria’s coming amid roars of discontent from the home fans following a foul on Xavi. But after all the excitement of the first 45 minutes, the second half was an altogether more subdued affair, with Barça controlling almost all the play, and Almeria far less willing to allow them any space for manoeuvre.

Quality finish

Guardiola’s side defended their convincing lead in style, but with Almeria packing their defence in what had become a damage limitation exercise, the goalscoring chances were hard to find, although Maxwell hit the post in the 52nd minute and Esteban was forced to make two providential saves in the 61st. Barça could afford to showboat a little, as the fans fought the cold temperatures with a Mexican wave and by chorusing the names of their heroes.

Afellay’s late entrance served to inject new life into the game, and the final minutes saw a further onslaught on the Almeria goal. That pressure eventually paid off with perhaps the finest goal of the night. Messi chipped the most delicate of passes through to Keita, whose control and finish provided a dazzling flash of brilliance to end yet another magnificent night at the Camp Nou. 5-0 again! The cup final is surely now just a matter of time.

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

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

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

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

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

Incredible start

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

Leo sets up the next two

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

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

Duda pegs one back

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

Villa gets his second

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Espanyol 1-5 FC Barcelona (Matchday 16 La Liga 2010/2011)

FC Barcelona hammered local rivals Espanyol 5-1 in La Liga on Saturday, while Villarreal and Valencia also won.

Espanyol held Barca to a 0-0 draw last season in the first Catalan derby at the new Estadi Cornella El-Prat, but there was no repeat this time around, with the league leaders maintaining their extraordinary goal-scoring form.

Pedro made the breakthrough in the 19th minute, before Xavi Hernandez made it two 11 minutes later.

Pedro grabbed his second just after the hour mark, before Pablo Osvaldo struck for the hosts, scoring the first goal conceded by Barca in six games in all competitions.

There was no sign of a comeback for Espanyol though, who fell further behind to a brace from Spain international David Villa in the final 15 minutes.

Barca are now five points clear of second-place Real Madrid, who take on Sevilla on Sunday.

Villarreal bounced back from a 1-0 defeat away to Getafe last week with a 3-1 win at home to Mallorca.

Jonathan de Guzman cancelled out Santi Cazorla's opener, but Giuseppe Rossi restored Villarreal's lead from the penalty spot in the 34th minute.

Brazil international Nilmar sealed the win with Valencia's third in the 51st minute.

Valencia fell behind to a Xabi Prieto penalty 23 minutes into their match away to Real Sociedad, but Alberto Costa levelled in first-half injury time before Aritz Aduriz struck a 91st minute winner to steal all three points at the death.

Goals from Igor Gabilondo and Javi Mart?nez helped Athletic Bilbao climbed to sixth with a 2-1 win away to Levante, while Diego Castro Gimenez secured a 1-1 draw for Sporting Gijon with an 89th-minute equaliser away to Deportivo La Coruna.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Goals

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

Lineups

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

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

Substitutes

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

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

Additional info

Referee:

E. Iturralde Gonzalez

Assistants:

R. Diaz Perez Del Palomar
J. Núnez Fernández

Fourth official:

A. Latorre

Getafe CF 1-3 FC Barcelona (Matchday 10 La Liga 2010/2011)

First-half goals from Lionel Messi and David Villa and a second-half strike from Pedro saw Barcelona register a comfortable 3-1 win against Getafe at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez in the Spanish Primera Division to continue to maintain pressure on archrivals Real Madrid.

Messi opened the scoring in the 23^rd minute and minutes later Villa found the net to virtually ascertain all three points for the Spanish champions in Madrid.

Pedro added his name on the scoresheet midway through the second period before Manu pulled one back from the penalty spot. Gerard Pique and Derek Boateng saw red for Barca and Getafe respectively in a hugely entertaining second 45 minutes.

Things, though, started awkwardly for Barca as Getafe made the first move of the match. It came as early as the third minute when Francisco Casquero advanced into the Barcelona penalty box from the right but failed to get a proper shot on target.

Thereafter it was all one-way traffic as the Spanish champions began to butcher Getafe’s midfield and attack piece by piece. First Villa, released by a brilliant pass from Andres Iniesta, couldn’t keep his shot on target despite sending goalkeeper Jordi Codina the wrong way and then Messi saw his shot blocked by the hosts’ custodian.

However, it was the Argentina international who eventually broke the deadlock midway through the first-half. Villa controlled the ball superbly near the penalty spot and after hoodwinking his markers with a turn and drawing defenders closer to him, played an overlapping Messi on the right who slotted home from an acute angle.

It could have been 2-0 to Pep Guardiola’s side just minutes later had Villa not missed a Daniel Alves cross from the right wing. Before long the Spain international striker saw his close-range shot saved by Codina.

Villa and Messi then combined for a one-two on 33 minutes with the latter tapping in the ball from close range but it was ruled out for offside on Villa’s part.

Barca, though, finally got their second goal against Getafe and did so just a couple of minutes later. Released by Messi on the right side of the box, Villa struck home with a low drive to put the Blaugrana 2-0 up at the break.

After the half-time breather Michel’s side looked very bright and enthusiastic. Manu was very sharp with his crosses from the left wing in the opening minutes of the second session but Pique was strong at the back and incepted his ball for Miku in the 50^th minute.

Manu was again at the heart of another chance that Getafe created four minutes later when he ran with the ball but was disappointing with the cross that Victor Valdes saved with ease. Boateng then came close with a header.

But for all of Getafe’s pressure, the Madrid-based side eventually conceded the third goal midway through the half. Daniel Diaz failed to control a simple pass from Codina in front of his own penalty area and picking the ball after it had bounced off Messi, Pedro slotted it home from close range.

However, Pique was sent off four minutes later for handling a Pedro Rios cross inside the Barca penalty and Manu successfully converted the resulting penalty.

The match became even more entertaining as there was end-to-end action, with Iniesta and Juan Albin going close for Barca and Getafe respectively and then Maxwell clearing a Javier Arizmendi header from the goalline.

However, the hosts were reduced to ten men after 80 minutes when Boateng was booked for the second time in the match for a foul on Javier Mascherano.

The two sides continued to play frenetic, entertaining and attacking football so typical of La Liga, with Arizmendi missing an easy chance and Messi watching his shot blocked by Codina.

The 3-1 victory means that Barcelona have leapfrogged Madrid into pole position for the time being while Getafe remain close to the relegation zone.