LaLiga 2018-19: Top three performers for Barcelona in their convincing win over SD Huesca

Barcelona thrashed SD Huesca in the third matchday of the 2018/19 Spanish League to maintain its perfect start through three games. The Catalan side demolished a Huesca team with a stunning 8-2 score after the visitors took an early lead in the third minute thanks to a goal from Juan Camilo Hernández.

Camp Nou fans were able to see their team find a way to tie the match thanks to a brilliant goal from Lionel Messi in the sixteenth minute of action. An own goal from Jorge Pulido eight minutes later gave Barcelona comfortability in a match with a lot of offensive opportunities for the Ernesto Valverde-led squad (31 shots in total, 15 on target).

Luis Suárez opened his account for the season after striking into the net a pass from Jordi Alba. The goal was awarded after video review, although the image did not show a convincing look into a possible offside from Barcelona's left back.

Alejandro Gallar did not let Barcelona go into the break with a comfortable feeling and put the score 3-2 in the 42nd minute.

After halftime, Barcelona returned to work with Frenchman Ousmane Dembélé hitting the back of the net just three minutes into the second half. Croatian Ivan Rakitic sealed the deal with a Benjamin Pavardesque shot after a pass from Messi.

Messi added the sixth goal, tying Karim Benzema in the scorer's table with four, and assisted Alba for the seventh goal. A late penalty call on Huesca goalkeeper Axel Werner after a challenge on Suárez saw the Uruguayan hit a penalty to complete his brace.

Let's take a look into Barcelona's top three performers in the solid win over Huesca.

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#1 Lionel Messi

Messi was the clear star in Barcelona's performance

Once again, Messi was efficient and scored his second brace in the same amount of matches at Camp Nou. His first goal was a great one, he dribbled a couple of defenders after faking a shot with his left foot and hit the back of the net with a right-footed crossed shot.

Messi's brace was completed thanks to a great pass from Brazilian Philippe Coutinho and a poor defensive manoeuvre from Huesca's backline. Messi scored with a left-foot shot down the body of his fellow Argentinian goalkeeper Werner.

The Argentinian assisted Rakitic for the team's fifth goal and Alba for the seventh of the Spanish afternoon.

The Barca No. 10 has scored four goals and assisted on three occasions in just four games early in the season. Messi was the clear star in Barcelona's performance against the encouraged but insufficient Huesca.

#2 Luis Suárez

Suárez connected with the net on a couple of occasions and maintained his solid scoring average for Barcelona

The Uruguayan striker found his way against Huesca after not performing so well in front of the goal. Suárez connected with the net on a couple of occasions and maintained his solid scoring average for Barcelona in the LaLiga.

Suárez scored the third and eighth goal in Barcelona's thrashing of Huesca, but those two were necessary for his confidence regarding his central ability: goalscoring. Also, Suárez assisted Dembelé for the fourth goal.

His first goal came after a cross from Jordi Alba which Suárez was able to hit into the net with ease. Although Alba's position might have prompted an offside call, the goal counted, and the Uruguayan celebrated his first of the season.

The second goal was earned by Suárez. In the 92nd minute of the match, the Uruguayan was still hungry and looking for another goal chance.

The chance arrived after he received a pass from Gerard Piqué and was brought down by 'keeper Werner, which forced the referee to point the penalty spot. Messi gave the penalty to Suárez, and the number nine did not disappoint.

Suárez reached 114 goals in the Spanish League in just 134 games, a remarkable tally for the Uruguayan striker.

#3 Philippe Coutinho

Coutinho has been performing well in the Barca midfield

The Brazilian continues to perform well in the midfield for Barcelona. Although the former Liverpool player was not able to score, he was an essential piece on offence and a constant threat for Huesca defenders.

Coutinho assisted Messi for his second goal with a brilliant pass into the heart of Huesca's defence, which was helpless with the combination between the Brazilian and his Argentinian teammate.

The Brazilian player is consistently among Barcelona's best performers game by game in the start of the season and continues to cement his condition as an immovable player in Ernesto Valverde's scheme.

Coutinho has participated directly in 19 goals (11 scored and eight assisted) in his 26 matches for the Catalan team so far.