Barcelona: Víctor Valdés; Dani Alves, Piqué, Puyol (Mascherano 67’), Adriano; Fàbregas, Busquets, Iniesta; Alexis, Messi (Tello 73’), Pedro (Neymar 61’). 4-3-3.
Rayo: Rubén; Arbilla (Tito 41’), Zé Castro, Saúl Ñíguez, Mojica; Trashorras, Raúl Baena; Rochina, Alberto Bueno (Jonathan Viera 61’), Iago Falqué; Larrivey (Longo 72’). 4-2-3-1.
Goals:
1-0. 02. Adriano. Cut in from left wing and struck long shot across Rubén.
2-0. 36. Messi. Ran on to Fàbregas through ball and lifted shot over keeper.
3-0. 52. Alexis. Picked up Messi pass and curled shot inside near post.
4-0. 56. Pedro. Turned ball in after passing move with Iniesta and Fábregas.
5-0. 68. Messi. Connected with Alexis square pass and steered shot past Rubén.
6-0. 89. Neymar. Collected ball in midfield and ran to fire long shot over keeper.
Yellow cards: None.
Barcelona stay in top spot for another week after they thrashed Rayo Vallecano 6-0 on Saturday evening. With the Champions League tie against Manchester City coming up in three days, Tata Martino reserved Xavi, Jordi Alba and Mascherano. Even so though they totally dominated from start to finish, Adriano beating Rubén with a long shot to open the scoring in only the second minute, and Messi and Pedro hitting both posts a few minutes later. Shortly before the break Messi made it two with a lob over the keeper after Fàbregas put him through, and some seven minutes after the restart Alexis got the third, the Chilean striker picking up Messi’s pass and firing a shot inside Rubén’s near post. Valdés had to tip a shot by Larrivey round the post, but Pedro made it four after a quick passing move with Fàbregas and Iniesta, and Messi got his second of the night after Alexis set him up. Martino rested a couple of his key players after that, but Zé Castro had to clear off the line from Fàbregas with the keeper beaten, and Neymar came on after his injury lay-off to round things off with the goal of the night, running through from midfield to fire a spectacular shot over the head of the stranded Rubén. Roll on Manchester City!
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