Barcelona hammered Rayo Vallecano 5-1 at the Vallecas with a hat-trick from Messi coming amidst two straight red cards for the hosts. Ivan Rakitic opened the scoring for the visitors, with Arda Turan completing the rout late on, with Suarez also missing a penalty as Barcelona created a La Liga record by going unbeaten for 35 consecutive games in all competitions.
Lineups:
Rayo Vallecano XI (4-2-3-1): Carlos; Quini, Llorente, Crespo, Tito; Iturra, Trashorras; Embarba, Piti, Bebe; Manucho.
Barcelona XI (4-3-3): Bravo; S. Roberto, Piqué, Mascherano, Mathieu; Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta; Messi, Suárez, Neymar.
First Half:
Barcelona began the game on a record 34 game streak, although the hosts were also on a similar club record, which was a far more modest 7. However, Rayo were not in awe of their illustrious opponents, pressing Barcelona high up the pitch causing the Catalans to lose possession.
Adri Embarba represented Rayo’s endeavour, running on to a through ball that dissected the Barcelona defence, with the youngster’s shot from range testing Bravo in the 4th minute. Lionel Messi did have the ball in the Rayo net in the 9th minute, but his cutely chipped effort was ruled out for offside. Rayo were quite bright, however, with Embarba testing Bravo again after his shot after a driving run was deflected.
With the hosts going toe-to-toe with Barcelona, they gave up the advantage in the cruellest of ways. Sergi Roberto, Barcelona’s ‘makeshift’ right-back sent in a regulation cross from the wings that Juan Carlos, Rayo’s keeper collected. However, he stumbled immediately, which meant that Carlos dropped the ball right into Ivan Rakitic’s path, allowing the Croatian to tap into an empty net and give Barcelona the lead in the 21st minute.
It was 2-0 seconds later as Messi heaped the misery on Rayo’s players with a goal in the 22nd minute. The Argentine played a lovely weighted pass forward to Neymar bursting down the left wing, and the Brazilian’s no-look pullback after drawing the keeper out allowed Messi to slot home Barcelona’s second into the near post with ease.
Barcelona pressed home their advantage with Rayo heads dropping as the half wore on, with the Blaugranas peppering Carlos’ goal with multiple efforts, although Rayo had a header that went wide from an excellent Embarba cross in the 41st minute.
Whatever lingering hopes there were of the game becoming a contest ended in the 42nd minute, as Diego Llorente was sent off for a reckless challenge on Rakitic. The on-loan Real Madrid youngster went in high with his studs showing, and although he cleared the ball, he connected high up on Rakitic’s leg, which left the Croat writhing on the floor.
The referee no choice but to send him off, although the case for a yellow card could be argued. The man in the middle blew for half time soon after, with Barcelona leading 2-0 going into the break.
Second Half
Barcelona began the second half with all the advantage of an extra man, and it showed – as Neymar and Suarez had efforts saved by Carlos early in the second half. However, the Catalans were 3-0 up in the 54th minute – Sergi Roberto sent in a low cross from the right as Barcelona countered, which was cleared into Suarez’ path but the Uruguayan’s shot hit the post and fell to Messi. The Argentine took a touch and stroked the ball home as Rayo’s defence and keeper were left chasing shadows.
Rayo Vallecano are the embodiment of their coach Paco Jemez, however, and were rewarded for their spirited play in the 57th minute as they grabbed a goal back. Embarbo sent in a cross from the right, that Bebe comfortably beat Roberto to win the header, and Manucho headed home from his knock-down as Pique and Mascherano switched off.
Vallecas was bouncing with joy as their side gave them something to cheer, but it disappeared in the 67th minute as the final nail in the coffin of Rayo’s comeback was hammered home. Iturra was sent off after the referee ruled that he fouled Busquets from behind as he was ready to pull the trigger from Neymar’s free kick hitting the post, but there appeared to be little contact.
Barcelona’s dismal run of form with penalties continued, as Suarez’s rather central effort was easily saved by Carlos. It mattered little however, as Messi made it 4-1 minutes later. The Argentine bent his run to beat the Vallecano half-line, and waited for the perfect moment to deceive Carlos and slot the ball home for his hat-trick in the 72nd minute.
Arda Turan had come on for Rakitic, and was involved in the latter stages. First, the referee mistakenly showed him a red card when he meant to show the Turk a yellow. Turan completed the rout in the 86th minute, as he headed home a wonderful cross from Jerome Mathieu on the right to make it five.
As the referee blew the final whistle, Barcelona completed a La Liga record, becoming the first Spanish team to go 35 games unbeaten in all competitions, while also extending their lead at the top of the table to 8 points, while Rayo are only just above the relegation zone on goal difference.
