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Matchday 35

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DOM 24.04.2016 | News

Barcelona retain top spot with six-goal blast

Luis Suarez struck four goals, while Messi and Neymar weighed in with one apiece, as FC Barcelona retained the top spot in the Liga BBVA with three left to play.

News

DOM 24.04.2016

Messi opener

Barcelona already knew about the wins for Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid when they took to the pitch at the Camp Nou, and that a victory was vital if they were to return to the top of the standings. Leo Messi quickly calmed nerves. Andres Iniesta floated a ball into the area where it was punched away by Ivan Cuellar but only as far as Messi who looped a header back over him into the empty net.

Sporting resistance

Sporting had staged thrilling late comebacks to defeat Atletico Madrid and Sevilla in recent weeks so there was a nervous atmosphere around the Camp Nou with the scoreline finely balanced in the first half. Alex Menendez should have done better with only Claudio Bravo to beat before Messi’s goal, while Alen Halilovic showed some nice touches.

Goalline clearance

Just before the break Javier Mascherano cleared a shot off the line with Bravo beaten, and when the ball was fired back into the area, Gerard Pique was the next defender to make a goalline clearance.

Luis Suarez hat-trick

Neymar spurned a host of chances as Barça pressed forward, but it was Luis Suarez who calmed home nerves. Andres Iniesta's low cross to the back post was turned in, and then the floodgates opened. Barça were awarded two quick penalties in succession and the Uruguayan scored both to finish the game as a contest.

Neymar and Suarez again

A third penalty gave Neymar the chance to find the back of the net after a frustrating night, while Sporting were left to finish the game with 10 men as Ognjen Vranjes was shown a second yellow card. There was still time for another goal as Messi slipped a ball through for Suarez and the Barça number nine curled in his fourth, to make it eight goals in his last two games. It also moved him to the top of the goal-scoring chart with 34 for the season.

 

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