Barcelona’s near-flawless performance against Alaves highlights La Liga’s Saturday action.
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Barcelona 4-1 Alaves
On Saturday at the Camp Nou, Barcelona demonstrated what they can be on a good day: a dangerous force, spearheaded by an unstoppable front three.
After a sloppy 0-0 draw against Real Madrid, the defending champions came out firing against a visiting Alaves side. The star-studded trio of Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann, Luis Suarez scored, while Arturo Vidal also scored.
In the 56th minute, Pere Pons’ unstoppable header jetted past Marc-Andre ter Stegen, putting the visitors one goal behind Ernesto Valverde and company.
It wouldn’t take long for the hosts to respond, however.
In quintessential Messi fashion, Barcelona’s No. 10 struck the ball from distance with his left foot. The ball, traveling with obvious pace, guided itself directly into the back of the net. For a sixth consecutive year, Messi’s goal count has hit 50 goals.
“All matches require a lot,” Valverde said after the match. “When they scored, they were spurred on and they had the chance to equalise, but Leo scored a great goal and things are seen in a different way from there.
“I think we played the game well, I would say the first half was very good, then we had less momentum at the beginning of the second. We got a boost with the third goal.
“These things happen with Messi. We see it all the time. Something like that can happen, and it’s a huge advantage that we have Messi.”
“Leo appears and makes you a goal from anywhere,” he added.
Suarez capped off the night, converting from the spot and earning Barcelona a much-needed victory to stay atop of La Liga.
Barcelona now prepares for the Derbi Barceloní, while Alaves sets their sights on Real Betis.
Elsewhere in La Liga
RCD Mallorca 0-2 Sevilla
Villarreal 1-0 Getafe
Real Valladolid 1-1 Valencia