'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang got off the mark for Barcelona with a hat-trick as the Blaugrana won 4-1 at Valencia in La Liga on Sunday. The visiting side looked in good form, scoring four goals in the league for the second time in three games.
Valencia had no answers for their inspired visitors, with Carlos Soler scoring a consolation goal in the 52nd minute.
The Blaugrana are now unbeaten in the league since December 4, while the hosts are without a La Liga win in 2022. As Xavi's men finish inside the top four for the third week in a row, here's a look at the five talking points from the game:
#5 Barcelona dominate from get-go
The visitors got the game off to a great start. They played well against the hosts' high press, and found their way into the final third with ease. The first 45 minutes saw the Blaugrana perfectly executing their game plan, scoring thrice in 15 minutes.
They also had luck on their side as two goals were ruled out for the hosts. In the 26th-minute, following a free-kick, Jose Gaya picked up a free ball and whipped in a dangerous cross.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen got a hand to it, but the ball went into his own net. Luckily, the left-back was adjudged offside to spare Barcelona's blushes. Soler's effort was then ruled out on the cusp of full-time due to a foul in the build-up.
Despite the hosts pulling one back in the 52nd-minute, Barcelona scored just 11 minutes later to restore their three-goal lead. It was a well-rounded performance, giving them a much-needed boost ahead of the second leg of their Europa League tie against Napoli on Thursday.
#4 Blaugrana extend unbeaten La Liga run to nine games
The Blaugrana have hit form at the right time as the race for European spots hots up in La Liga. They are now unbeaten in nine league games since a 1-0 defeat at home to Real Betis in early December, their longest such streak in the league this season.
The Blaugrana have hit a purple patch in recent outings, having scored ten goals in their last three league games.
#3 VAR disallows a goal in La Liga for the first time
It was a busy day in the VAR office, as the video assistant was called upon twice in the game. Barcelona had both decisions going their way. Firstly, Aubameyang's second goal of the game was checked for offside, but was allowed to stand.
Valencia thought they had equalised just three minutes after Barcelona's opener following Ter Stegen deflecting Gaya's cross into his own net. However, the defender was ruled to be offside.
Just moments before the half-time whistle, Soler's goal was ruled out following an intervention from VAR. Replays showed that the ball had rolled out of play when Gaya tackled Sergino Dest to win the ball back. The tackle had kickstarted the move that led to the goal as the visitors breathed a huge sigh of relief.
It was the first time in the history of La Liga that VAR ruled out a goal.
#2 The Blaugrana make their possession count
Xavi's men have been criticised for their wastefulness in recent fixtures. They scored just once from their 21 shots in the Europa League knockout playoffs first leg against Napoli, recording just five shots on target.
They improved on their finishing, and had more shots on target against Valencia. Of their seven attempted shots, six were on target. They had a 100% shot conversion rate in the first half, scoring from their first three shots on goal.
#1 Aubameyang opens Blaugrana account in style
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was signed by Barcelona in the January transfer window to bolster their attack. It took the player four games across competitions, but he finally found his shooting boots for the club.
He bagged a first-half brace, and was lucky to add a third to his tally. Pedri, who came on as a second-half substitute, unleashed a vicious long-range strike with his first touch of the game. The ball deflected off the back of the Gabonese striker, and was awarded to him after initially being awarded to the Spaniard.
His first goal meant Aubameyang became only the fourth player to score in La Liga (3), Premier League (68), Bundesliga (98) and Ligue 1 (41).
