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FC Barcelona ended the year with a thumping 5-0 win over newly-promoted Cordoba CF at the Camp Nou.
Luis Suarez scored his first La Liga goal for new club Barcelona after 595 minutes of football. Pedro opened the scoring before Suarez’s goal.
Gerard Pique got on the scoresheet as well with a header in the second half. Lionel Messi’s name on the scoresheet is generally a mere formality, and the Argentine scored two late goals to round off the scoring.
The win means FC Barcelona are 1 point behind league leaders, Real Madrid, but the Catalan club has played a game more. They lead defending champions Atletico Madrid by 6 points and even a win for Atletico on Sunday wouldn’t dislodge Barcelona from 2nd spot.
Here are the highlights of the match:
Barcelona 1-0 Cordoba: Pedro (2’)
Pedro opened the scoring early in the game with a fantastic goal. His run was spotted by Ivan Rakitic and the Croat’s left-footed pass went through the Cordoba defence to find Pedro. The Spaniard made no mistake as he took one touch to control the ball and put the ball in the back of the net with his second.
Barcelona 2-0 Cordoba: Luis Suarez (53’)
Just 8 minutes into the second half, Suarez doubled Barcelona’s lead as he got his first La Liga goal for his new club. After Messi and Andres Iniesta combined in midfield, the ball found its way to Pedro. The Spaniard crossed the ball low towards Suarez and the £75 million man set the ball up with his left foot and toe-poked it past the on-rushing goalkeeper.
Barcelona 3-0 Cordoba: Gerard Pique (80’)
Xavi stepped up to take a free-kick near the corner flag and the Spaniard swung the ball in with pace. The precise cross was met by Pique, whose thumping header increased Barcelona’s lead further.
Barcelona 4-0 Cordoba: Lionel Messi (82’)
Cordoba were still recovering from Pique’s goal when Lionel Messi decided to get his name on the scoresheet. Xavi took a corner and after a couple of deflections off the Cordoba players, the ball found its way to Messi who put his right foot through the ball to make it 4-0.
Barcelona 5-0 Cordoba: Lionel Messi (91’)
Messi saved the best for the last. Jordi Alba found himself in acres of space on the left wing and he chipped a ball into the box. The Cordoba defenders could not do more than flick it towards Messi. The Argentine brought down the ball using exquisite control with his left foot and swiftly shot with his right to score the fifth goal of the match.
