Barcelona welcomed Getafe to the Camp Nou on Tuesday looking to move five points clear at the top of La Liga.
The rampant hosts were 5-0 up at the break, with Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez (2), Neymar and Xavi all on the scoresheet.
Messi scored his second early in the second period to make it six, and that was where the scoring ended, with both teams making changes as the second half developed.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Camp Nou as league leaders Barcelona welcome Getafe. The home side will be looking to stretch their lead at the top of the table to five points from Real Madrid once again, but Getafe did claim a point in this stadium last season.
First and foremost, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news.
TEAMS:
BARCA: Bravo; Alves, Mathieu, Bartra, Adriano; Busquets, Xavi, Rafinha; Messi, Suarez, Neymar
GETAFE: Guaita; Arroyo, Alexis, Velazquez, Lago; Lacen, Rodriguez, Leon; Emi, Baba, Fredy
So there we have it. Barcelona boss Luis Enrique has made four changes to his team from the 2-0 win over Espanyol on Saturday, with Jeremy Mathieu, Marc Bartra, Adriano and Xavi all coming into the XI. Jordi Alba is suspended, while Javier Mascherano, Ivan Rakitic and Andres Iniesta have dropped to the bench. Neymar, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi continue in the final third, with Pedro on the bench.
Getafe, meanwhile, are without their top scorer Alvaro Vazquez, who has recently undergone shoulder surgery. Karim Yoda, Juan Valera and Angel Lafita also miss out, but Alexis and Emiliano Velazquez are back from suspension. Fredy Hinestroza and Emi are also given spots in the XI.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Barcelona have won three of the last five games. However, each of the last two league fixtures have finished all square. In the corresponding match last season, Getafe scored late through Lafita to claim a 2-2 draw and harm Barca's title challenge in the process. Earlier this season, meanwhile, the score finished goalless in the Spanish capital.
With just five games remaining, Barcelona know that 15 points would be enough to see them claim the title. In 2015, the Catalan outfit have won 14 of their 17 league games, with that run of form seeing them usurp Real Madrid at the summit. As it stands, they are two points clear of Los Blancos, who have won their last five in the league and do not face struggling Almeria until tomorrow evening.
As expected, Barcelona's home form has been strong – winning 14 of their 16 matches, but they have been beaten by both Malaga and Celta Vigo at the Camp Nou in the league this season. A run of 24 wins from their 27 games in all competitions since the turn of the year, meanwhile, has seen them close on a famous treble. What a first season at the helm that would be for head coach Enrique.
Getafe, meanwhile, are not yet mathematically safe from the drop, but they are seven points outside of the relegation zone in 13th position and will feel that one more win would be enough. It has been a disappointing few weeks, however, with back-to-back defeats against Athletic Bilbao and Levante.
Six of Getafe's 10 league wins this season have come on their own patch, while they have lost 10 of their 16 games on the road, which is an indication of the task ahead of them here. They have also only managed 28 league goals all season and as mentioned, are currently without their leading scorer.
PREDICTION! In truth, I am finding it very difficult to make a case for Getafe this evening. Barca boss Enrique has made changes, but it is still a formidable lineup and one that should be too strong for a Getafe side that are without a number of key players. Score prediction: Barcelona 3-0 Getafe.
Far from a full house inside the stadium, but there is a good atmosphere and the home supporters are expecting a performance this evening. It is Barca that get the first 45 minutes underway here.
As expected, the home side have taken control of the possession in the opening couple of minutes. You just get the feeling that Getafe will need to score first if they are to stand a chance tonight.
Almost an opportunity for the home side as Xavi pokes a pass towards Suarez, but Alexis just manages to clear ahead of the forward. It is all Barcelona in the early exchanges this evening.
The game's first shot comes from Alves, but his effort is straight at Getafe stopper Guaita.
It is almost like a training exercise at the moment as Barcelona continue to pass and probe outside the box, with Getafe holding firm. Alves again has an attempt, but this time it is wide of the post.
It does seem only a matter of time before the home side make the breakthrough as they continue to control this match in the final third. Messi and Xavi have both seen plenty of the ball thus far.
PENALTY BARCELONA!
Barcelona are awarded a penalty as Arroyo brings Suarez to the ground just inside the box. It was a poor challenge from the defender and an easy decision for the referee. Messi to take of course.
GOAL! Barcelona 1-0 Getafe (Messi, pen)
Messi produces a delightful chip to score from the penalty spot. It seemed to move so slow, but Guaita had already made his move and could not respond. Well, Getafe could be in bother now.
Getafe just cannot keep the ball at the moment as Barcelona continue to press high up the field. This could be anything that the home side want it to be. It has been such a comfortable 12 minutes.
It is all very well setting up and hoping not to take a hiding, but Getafe are just not making an impact in this game and Barcelona have another decent opportunity from a free kick just outside the box...
... Xavi delivers towards the far post, but Alexis is on hand to head behind for a corner.
CHANCE! Barcelona come close to a second as a clever set piece presents Rafinha with an opportunity just inside the box, but his header is high of the crossbar. Probably should have scored!
OFF-THE-LINE! From nowhere Getafe come close to levelling as a mix-up between Bravo and Bartra presents Fredy with the chance to find the back of the net. The Getafe forward lobs the ball over Bravo, but the Chilean races back to clear off the line. Whistles from the crowd!
Another half-chance for the away side as Baba tries his luck from a difficult angle, but it is a fairly comfortable save for Bravo, who has had an untidy last couple of minutes in the Barcelona goal.
Well, Getafe have started to make an impact in the last couple of minutes, which is good news for the game. Baba takes a blow to his ankle, but it does appear that the forward will be fit to continue.
Mathieu and Bartra look nervy at the back for Barcelona here - very nervy indeed!
Half-chance for Messi as the Argentine combines with Alves before trying his luck, but the attacker's effort was always moving wide of the post. It is an open and end-to-end game at the moment.
Fredy's effort so nearly found the back of the net. Bravo to the rescue...
Another half-chance for the home side as Suarez combines with Messi, but the former's effort was straight into the arms of Guaita. Still 1-0 with 24 minutes on the clock at the Camp Nou.
It is good work from Fredy as the winger races past Adriano before delivering into the Barcelona box, but Mathieu is on hand to clear at the near post. The resulting corner is delivered by Leon and met by Velazquez, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Getafe are carrying a threat here.
GOAL! Barcelona 2-0 Getafe (Suarez)
Barcelona have their second of the match as Messi picks out a stunning pass for Suarez, who finishes first-time into the corner of the net. Super pass and a really smart finish. Excellent to watch!
Down the other end, Bravo is not having the best time as Eri strikes one towards the bottom corner and the Barca goalkeeper is forced to bundle behind. We have a really open game at the Camp Nou.
GOAL! Barcelona 3-0 Getafe (Neymar)
Barca have their third as Neymar cuts inside Velazquez before finishing into the bottom corner. Neymar, Suarez and Messi have now contributed 100 goals between them this season.
In truth, this is already a little embarrassing and it could get much, much worse tonight.
GOAL! Barcelona 4-0 Getafe (Xavi)
Goal number four for Barcelona as Xavi finds space outside the box before rattling one into the top corner. What a finish from the skipper. This could well be double figures at the Camp Nou.
If Barcelona want to score seven or eight this evening then they can, but you suspect that energy will be saved in the second period. As far as the three points are concerned, this is job done and some.
In truth, it would be a surprise if Getafe were relegated this season, but they are closing on a hiding this evening and that could dent their confidence for the final few weeks. It is like a training game for the home side as they continue to pass and probe and look for those angles in the final third.
Messi and Neymar attempt to combine in the final third, but Lago just manages to clear at the vital moment otherwise it could well have been 5-0. A long pass from Mathieu comes close to finding Suarez moments later, but Guaita is quick off his line to claim. Simply all one-way traffic here.
As it stands...
GOAL! Barcelona 5-0 Getafe (Suarez)
And there is number five. Again it is super work from Messi, who plays in Xavi and the Spaniard flicks a wonderful pass into Suarez, who curls his effort into the far corner. Another stunning goal!
You have to feel for Getafe at the moment as they continue to chase shadows in the final third. Barcelona have actually only had seven shots on target and five have found the back of the net!
CHANCE! Barcelona come close to scoring a sixth as Messi sets up Adriano inside the box, but the full-back just pokes his effort wide of the post. Everyone is queuing up at the moment.
HALF-TIME: Barcelona 5-0 Getafe
Can we take a moment to pray for Getafe in the second period? It has been a quite stunning first 45 minutes from the home side, with goals from Messi, Suarez (2), Neymar and Xavi seeing Barca lead 5-0. It has been like a training match for the league leaders, who will move five points clear of second-place Real Madrid this evening unless something quite extraordinary occurs after the break.
STATS! Barcelona have utterly dominated the possession with 80%, while they have had 13 attempts - seven of which have been on target. That said, Getafe have actually had three attempts on target, with Fredy coming close following a mistake from Bravo. Comeback in the second half?
BENCH WATCH! There will become a point in the second period when Barca boss Enrique looks to rest key players and he has an embarrassment of riches in reserve, with the likes of Iniesta, Mascherano, Pedro and Rakitic all available. Getafe, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Felip and Astray.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Will the home side make it double figures at the Camp Nou? Getafe get the second 45 minutes of action underway.
SUB! Barca have made one change at the break, with Roberto replacing Busquets.
It will be interesting to see how Barcelona approach this second period. Will they go for seven or eight? Or is five enough? As expected, they have started the second period on the front foot.
GOAL! Barcelona 6-0 Getafe (Messi)
Oh my good grief. Barcelona have their sixth of the evening and Messi has his second as the Argentine curls one into the top corner from as wide angle. The standard of goals tonight!
SUB! Getafe make their first change as Baba is replaced by Ivi Lopez.
Getafe have not touched the ball in this second period. Well, they have, but not properly. Barcelona are in utter control as they continue to pass and probe in the final third. Six and counting here...
Just a reminder that the three points for Barcelona will move them five points clear of second-place Real Madrid, who face Almeria tomorrow evening. I think it is safe to assume that the home side are going to win this match. Pedro is warming up and the Spaniard could be introduced shortly.
Getafe are set up in two banks of four at the moment, but Barcelona are just passing around them. It is quite probably their easiest game of the season thus far. How many more goals will we see?
Half-chance for the away side this time as Lopez collects a loose ball inside the box before firing towards goal, but his effort was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. Still 6-0 here.
Getafe are enjoying a decent spell of possession at the moment, but Barcelona are comfortable in dealing with anything that comes into their own box. Pedro is preparing to enter for the hosts.
SUB! Barca make their second change as Pedro replaces Xavi.
Little under 30 minutes of football remaining and it is still 6-0 Barcelona. The tempo has dropped, which is not much of a surprise. However, I still fancy at least two more goals this evening.
It has become a little scrappy in the last couple of moments, with Alves diving into the back of Lago. There have not been any bookings this evening, but Alves seems to be on his final warning now.
SUB! Getafe make their second change as Rodriguez is replaced by Felip.
CHANCE! Suarez comes close to scoring his third of the night as the striker collects a block from a Neymar effort, but his strike is high of the crossbar. It remains six for Barca.
In truth, there is not much of an atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment. It is like a training game and that has been the case all evening. Little over 20 minutes of this La Liga clash to play.
SUB! Barca make their final change as Alves is replaced by Montoya.
CHANCE! The referee plays the advantage when Messi is hacked down outside the box, but Suarez cannot take advantage as he allows Alexis back to make the challenge. The wait continues!
Suarez again tries his luck after finding space outside the box, but his curling effort is collected by Guaita, who will want this match to end as soon as possible. Getafe are now on the break...
... POST! Fredy breaks through on goal before managing to poke one towards the bottom corner, but his effort hits the post. Getafe come so close to a consolation goal here!
SAVE! Guaita again makes a smart save to deny Messi, who had fired one towards goal from a difficult angle. Little over 20 minutes of this second period remaining and it is still 6-0.
Fredy again manages to break through on the Barcelona goal, but the forward loses control at the vital moment and the danger is cleared. Fredy has been a threat all evening for the away side.
SUB! Getafe make their third change as Leon is replaced by Escudero.
Little over 10 minutes of this contest remaining and it has become a little scrappy, with both sides guilty of a number of late challenges. Still no yellow cards - will that be the case come full-time?
It is not too much of a surprise that the goals have dried up in this half. Changes from both teams have harmed the tempo and Barcelona will be conserving energy for their trip to Cordoba.
Another half-chance for Getafe as Felip delivers a super ball into Lopez, but Mathieu is on hand to clear behind with a sliding challenge. Barcelona really want to post another clean sheet here.
Barcelona have a free kick just outside the box as Felip brings Messi to the ground...
... SAVE! Messi places his free kick towards the bottom corner, but Guaita flies across his goal to make the save. It is still six, thanks to the away side's goalkeeper!
Guaita holds on once again as Bartra's header angled towards the bottom corner.
Not much of an atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment, which is not too much of a surprise. It has been just about as comfortable as Barcelona could have hoped for. Another game ticked off.
Getafe have at least managed to keep the score down in the second period, which is a positive that can be taken. The visitors have a free kick in a deep area, but Rafinha clears just behind.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute.
FULL-TIME: Barcelona 6-0 Getafe
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Barcelona running out 6-0 winners to move five points clear at the top of the table. Getafe, meanwhile, remain in 13th position. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!
