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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FC Barcelona 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.

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

Barcelona keep Madrid at bay to reach final

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Barca braced for Arsenal battle

Barcelona forward Pedro is expecting Arsenal to provide a stern test for the La Liga title holders in Wednesday's Champions League encounter.

The two sides met in the quarter-finals last season, with Barca winning 6-3 on aggregate.

But the Spain international is expecting the Gunners to be a much tougher prospect at their Emirates Stadium home when they meet in the last 16 midweek.

"They have a great team, and we know that it will be a very difficult game. They have great players, especially in attack, fast and physical players. It will be a hard tie as both teams are in good form," Pedro said.

"They are in good form and have very good players like Cesc (Fabregas) and (Robin) van Persie. Arsenal are always hard opponents, and this game will be no different."

"Getting a good result away is always important for us. We know that it will be hard, but as always we will go out to win the game."

"We are hoping for a good result, and a win would be very positive for the second leg at home."

Pedro also played down renewed speculation about a bid for national team-mate Fabregas, pleading his ignorance about any potential move for the Gunners captain.

"I don't know. I hope so. He is a great player and was here before," Pedro said.

"We know that he can adapt to here. He has also expressed an interest in coming here, but there is no reason to talk about this."

"We are going to be playing against him and his team, but I hope that one day he can play here. He is a great player and we would all like him here."

Hercules 0-3 FC Barcelona (Matchday 21 La Liga 2010/2011)

Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola said he is unconcerned about the prospect of facing nemesis Hercules in La Liga on Saturday.

Hercules, currently 12th on the table, caused the upset of the season when they defeated the Catalans at the Camp Nou 2-0 four months ago - a loss that sparked the Spanish champions into a 28-match unbeaten streak in all competitions which ended only this month.

Guardiola's men will look for their 15th consecutive league win at Estadio Jose Rico Perez, and the boss said he was proud of their efforts in maintaining their high performance levels in their title defence.

"I haven't said that we have won half the league. There is still a long way to go. We are going to a place that will be very difficult to play at, particularly for the strengths of our opponents," Guardiola said.

"That it hasn't been equalled since 1971 shows that it is a record that holds tremendous value. Fourteen wins is astonishing in such a competitive world, with all the circumstances that exist. These things are achieved when you concentrate on the important things."

"We have to look at Hercules and think about what we have to do to beat them, about what virtues they have, any possible defects. We'll see how we do, after only three days' rest."

The Spanish manager said their shock loss to Hercules earlier in the season was a wake-up call for his players, some of whom were fresh from a World Cup victory playing for Spain.

"I don't know if it was a turning point or not, but a defeat always gives way to reflection. Players came into that game having just won the World Cup, from very brief holidays and preseason training," he said.

"But Hercules won because they were better on the day. We didn't think or say then that it was because we hadn't trained much together. We had sufficient time training in order to have won, but their players did very well."

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

Goals from Pedro, Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta allowed Barcelona to secure a comfortable 3-0 victory over Racing Santander at the Camp Nou this evening to edge further clear the top of the Primera Division.

The Blaugrana took the lead after just ninety seconds of play, and Messi's penalty before the break was added to by Iniesta's low shot in the second period, to extend the gap to Real Madrid to seven points, with Los Blancos facing Mallorca tomorrow.

Visiting coach Miguel Angel Portugal would have sent his side out with the message to remain tight in the early stages, but his players did not heed the warning.

Just ninety seconds had passed when Messi and Villa shared an intricate one-two, with the former lifting the ball across goal into the path of Pedro, who chested the ball over the line.

Portugal simply looked on in fear, knowing that his team could potentially have been on the end of a thrashing.

But to their credit the Verdiblancos dug in, and defended well for the next half hour, but could not get out of their own half, and goalkeeper Tono, who was fantastic despite the scoreline, produced a fantastic double save to deny Messi, then Carles Puyol from point-blank range.

But eventually their resistance was broken down. Henrique left out a foot as David Villa skipped past him inside the area, and the referee had no choice but to point to the spot. Messi stepped up and rolled home the kick with aplomb.

The away side were not without their chances, however; Markus Rosenberg forced Valdes into a smart save, then the gloves man pulled off a fantastic fingertip save from a thumping Adrian header.

But there was never any danger of Racing ever taking something from the match, and Andres Iniesta ensured that the points were remaining in Catalunya.

A precise move ended with Messi flicking the ball exquisitely into the Spaniard's path, and his low shot took a nick off a defender before flying into the corner of the net.

Pep Guardiola then gave rest to midfield maestro Xavi, and his team, knowing the win had been secured, took their foot off the pedal in the closing minutes.

Barca heap the pressure on Real Madrid at the top of the table and continue to look formidable, while Racing remain in a relegation fight at the foot of the division.

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

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

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

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

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

Incredible start

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

Leo sets up the next two

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

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

Duda pegs one back

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

Villa gets his second

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

Barcelona 5-0 Real Betis (1st Leg Quarter Finals Copa del Rey 2010/2011)

Lionel Messi crowned his triumph in winning the Ballon d'Or this week by hitting a stunning hat-trick as FC Barcelona took a huge stride towards a place in the Copa del Rey semi finals with victory over Real Betis.

The Argentinian paraded the award that he received on Monday in Zurich in front of the fans before the game in Camp Nou and then proved why he was voted as the best on the planet with a dazzling display against the second division leaders. Pedro and Seydou Keita added to the tally late on to ensure that the second leg will be extremely tough for Betis while Messi left the field to a standing ovation from the home fans.

Bright start

Pep Guardiola showed that he is paying full attention to the Copa del Rey as he named all six players that were included in the FIFPro Ideal XI in his starting line-up. There was an emotional start to the evening as the players paid homage to former Barça star Ángel Pedraza, who died recently aged just 48. The tribute the team then paid him was superb as Barça dominated the game and put the tie virtually beyond doubt. Betis did not make things easy though and they had several attempts at goal themselves and showed why they are favourites to win their place in the top flight back at the end of the current campaign.

Early chances

Early on David Villa hit the woodwork and then produced a great save from Casto Espinosa in the visitors' goal with a free-kick. The Betis custodian also showed stunning reflexes to deny Messi the Argentinian had chested the ball down. Going forward Barça were looking sharp, but they were not having everything their own way and the Andaluician outfit pushed forward and ensured that Gerard Piqué and Carles Puyol had to be on their toes to protect José Manuel Pinto. The Blaugrana keeper was called into action when Iriney sent a looping header goalwards.

Opening effort

Betis appeared to be taking a clean sheet into the break with them, but that was premature thinking as Messi showed why he edged Xavi and Andrés Iniesta to lift the Ballon d'Or with another decisive effort. Iniesta picked out his trademark run behind the defence from the right with a slide rule pass and after taking one touch Messi clipped the ball up and beyond Casto and into the net with 43 minutes gone.

More Messi

Just after the hour mark and Barça were two ahead and it was Messi again who hit the target. Casto stopped his first effort from close range, but the forward regained possession and slotted the ball through the keeper's legs and into the far corner of the net. The hat-trick was complete in minute 73 when Messi was sent through down the middle by Xavi and clipped the ball past Casto after waiting for the Betis player to commit himself to a dive.

Two more

Despite conceding so many Casto had a good game as he denied Dani Alves on two occasions, but he could do nothing in minute 75 when the Brazilian saw his effort come back to him and he laid it on a plate for Pedro to drive home. The fifth arrived seven minutes from time when Iniesta did superbly to stop the ball on the touchline and lob it up and over Casto for Keita to nod in from close range.

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.

FC Barcelona 2-1 Levante UD (Matchday 17 La Liga 2010/2011)

It’s turned out to be a very happy new year for Barcelona as they register their first victory of 2011 with a 2-1 win over Levante. A brace from Pedro Rodriguez ensured no Christmas hangover and created a five point gap between themselves and Real Madrid at the Spanish summit.

The champions had to construct a makeshift back-four due to the absences of Gerard Pique and Carlos Puyol who were both out due to suspension and injury respectively. Anchorman Sergio Busquets was inserted into a central defensive partnership with Eric Abidal with Maxwell operating down the left and Dani Alves as always on the opposite side. Lionel Messi was given the night off to recover from his trip back from his native Argentina.

For all Barcelona’s domination in possession during the first half they were unable to break down a well-drilled Levante defence who held their shape magnificently well and made it hard for the hosts. Luis Garcia’s men had conceded eight goals against Real Madrid prior to Christmas and looked like a different outfit with everybody in a black and white shirt performing their duties impeccably.

Andres Iniesta drew first blood in the attempts as his diligent curling effort from just outside the eighteen-yard box on six minutes brought out a magnificent save from Manolo Reina who showed great agility to claw the ball behind for a corner. David Villa soon followed up minutes later as he worked himself a pocket of space just inside the ‘D’ but saw his right-footed effort go wide of the post.

For all Barcelona’s domination in midfield they lacked conviction in the final third. The absence of Messi was evident down the flanks and they could have done with the little Argentine superstar weaving his was inside to orchestrate a piece of magic.

In fact it was Levante who nearly opened the scoring. Victor Valdes’s mistake presented them with an opportunity which saw Rafa Jorda inside the penalty area unmarked but was unable to divert the ball but was called offside.

Minutes later another fantastic chance was presented for the visitors as Xisco Nadal’s delicate touch found Juanlu bursting down the right but as he got into the penalty area he was unable to square the ball to Jorda for what would have been an easy tap in. Credit to Eric Abidal whose persistence put the Spaniard off at the vital time. The Blaugrana defence however were sliced apart.

Pep Guardiola’s side continued with their domination in midfield and created a number of half chances. Iniesta used his initiative to weave his way through the middle and play in Bojan but was unable to find the net after rounding Reina. Iniesta was again involved minutes later as his diligent cut back via a short corner saw Xavi drive the ball goal-wards but was denied by a commanding Reina in between the sticks.

A minute into the second-half Barca broke the deadlock thanks to Pedro. Dani Alves found himself in the penalty area and his first touch drew the ball away from the defence before taking plenty of time as he dwelled on his options before finally passing to his colleague who blasted the ball through a crowd of bodies and into the net.

It was the little the Spaniard who was making the difference as he made it 2-0 on 59 minutes. Dani Alves again with the assist as he cut the ball back into the eighteen-yard box from the right to find Pedro who was precise with placement and power and produced a beautiful finish that gave Reina no chance.

Substitute Thiago was ever so bright when he came on in place of Mascherano and very nearly assisted Pedro with his hat-trick as his touch found the youngster bursting into the box but was unfortunate to see his looping effort rattle the top of the cross bar.

The goal of the night however came from those in black and white on the 80th minute and was orchestrated by two of their substitutes. Valmiro Valdo’s dinked through ball was struck on the volley first time by Christian Stuani and almost burst the net. The home fans even drew a round of applause for an effort that would have worthy by one of their own.

That was the last real action of the match though as Levante could not conjure up an equaliser and the clash ended 2-1.

Goals

Pedro 47' (assist by Dani Alves)	1 - 0
Pedro 59' (assist by Dani Alves)	2 - 0
	2 - 1	80' C. Stuani (assist by Valdo)

Lineups

#	Player	Bookings
1	Victor Valdés
22	E. Abidal
2	Dani Alves
19	Maxwell
14	J. Mascherano
8	Iniesta
6	Xavi	89'
16	Busquets	89'
7	Villa
9	Bojan	45'
17	Pedro	47' 59'
Coach: Josep Guardiola

#	Player	Bookings
1	Manolo Reina
15	Del Horno
3	Nano	45'
2	Cerra
5	Robusté
20	Juanlu
6	Pallardó
8	Larrea
14	Xavi Torres
7	Xisco Nadal
9	Rafa Jordá
Coach: L. García

Substitutes

#	Player	Bookings
30	Thiago Alcântara for J. Mascherano 49'
15	S. Keita for Bojan 65'	90'
18	G. Milito for Maxwell 77'
21	Adriano
32	Marc Bartra
13	Pinto
29	Victor Vazquez

#	Player	Bookings
22	C. Stuani for Xisco Nadal 71'	80' 90'
23	Valdo for Rafa Jordá 71'
19	Xisco Muñoz for Juanlu 73'
18	Ballesteros
13	G. Munúa
21	Rubén Suárez
16	Sergio

Additional info

Referee:

M. Lasa

Assistants:

T. Sobrino Magán
J. Segovia

Fourth official:

J. González

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.

CA Osasuna 0-3 FC Barcelona (Matchday 14 La Liga 2010/2011)

FC Barcelona moved five point clear off Real Madrid with tough 3-0 victory against Osasuna. This is our seventh consecutive away win of the season and that's yet another La Liga record. There has been huge controversy into the build up of this match. Barca were planning to fly tonight to Pamplona, but the sudden strike by the air traffic controller through off Barca's plan onto disarray. We were told in the morning that the match was postponed to tomorrow by the RFEF. But it looks like Osasuna objected to that and wanted to play us on saturday. It looks like some phone call from a particular business tycoon in the Capital, might have made that decision. Camacho with his association with Real Madrid, did his best to make life easier for his older club. But his and his club's cowardly insistence to have Barca travel all the way from Barcelona to Pamplona in both train and bus did nothing to change the fate of this match. It is still not clear what made his club to insist on playing tonight - maybe the fear of Barca or maybe the love for Real Madrid. A first half goal from Pedro and two second half strikes from Messi helped Barca to yet another away win in the league. Guardiola retained the same eleven which lined-up against Real Madrid - Valdes, Pique, Puyol, Alves, Abidal, Busquets, Iniesta, Xavi, Pedro, Villa and Messi.

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