Barcelona welcomed Getafe to the Camp Nou on Sunday looking to extend their lead at the top of the La Liga table to 12 points.
It took just six minutes for the home side to open the scoring with Alexis Sanchez dispatching from close range to score his first league goal of the season.
Lionel Messi scored in his 13th La Liga match in a row moments later to make it 2-0, with David Villa adding his side's third just before the hour mark.
Cristian Tello added Barcelona's fourth when he found the bottom corner after 78 minutes, before Alvaro Vasquez scored a consolation for Getafe.
There was time for two more goals, however, with Andres Iniesta and Gerard Pique adding gloss to the score in the final couple of minutes.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Morning all! Well this is certainly some way to start your Sunday morning as Barcelona welcome Getafe to the Camp Nou. Despite some indifferent results in recent weeks, the home side sit comfortably top of the La Liga table, an incredible 13 points clear of Real Madrid and nine clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid.
Getafe, meanwhile, have taken just five points from their last six matches. They began the season with much promise, but recent form has seen them drop down the league table. They appear to be clear of relegation trouble, however, with 29 points on the board from 22 matches. But it would be fair to state that not many will give them a chance in this match.
Getafe can take heart from a recent 1-0 win over Barcelona in November 2011, but they have been beaten the last two times they travelled to this stadium. In the corresponding fixture last season they were thumped 4-0, but it could have been a lot more with the Catalan outfit missing a host of chances. The likes of David Villa and Lionel Messi will be keen to put that right here. Right, the team news is just filtering through.
TEAMS:
BARCELONA: Valdes; Adriano, Puyol, Pique, Alba; Iniesta, Song, Thiago; Messi, Villa, Sanchez
GETAFE: Codina; Lopo, Alexis, Torres, Escudero; Borja, Gavilan, Castro, Michel; Barrada, Colunga
So there we have it. Barcelona rest a couple of their key players with David Villa and Alex Song coming into the team, while Thiago also starts. Getafe, meanwhile, name their strongest available side with Adrian Colunga and Diego Castro both starting. However, Pablo Sarabia must make do with a place on the bench.
Barcelona enter the match having drawn 1-1 with Valencia last time out, before which they had drawn 1-1 with Real Madrid in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final. Hang on, Barcelona have not won in two matches? Is there a crisis of some sort?! Not quite. In the three matches previously, they scored 12 goals.
Barcelona’s defence has proved to be far from watertight this season, however, conceding 25 goals in their 22 matches thus far. That is still a solid number, but Malaga, Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid all have a better record. Down the other end it is a different story with Barcelona registering a stunning 72 goals thus far, some 14 ahead of Real Madrid.
Getafe’s numbers are not quite so impressive. They have conceded 36 goals in their 22 matches, with just four teams conceding more. Meanwhile, down the other end they have hit the back of the net 28 times, which works out to just about 1.27 goals per game. Not really a record that will worry Barcelona too much, especially at the Camp Nou.
Getafe will also have to overcome an incredible home record this evening if they are to secure a result. Barcelona have won nine of their 10 matches on their own patch, with the only blotch on their copybook coming in a 2-2 draw with Real Madrid. Getafe have managed to win three matches on the road, however, taking 11 points in the process.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of kickoff. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Just about time for my pre-match prediction. I cannot see anything other than a comfortable home victory in Spain's early kickoff. I am going 4-0 Barcelona.
Today's referee is the wonderfully-named Ignacio Iglesias. Let's hope that we can keep all 22 players on the field with an incredible influx of red cards in La Liga this season. A reminder that this is the first of four live La Liga matches that we will bring you this afternoon. Right, the away side get the action underway.
It is a beautiful afternoon in Barcelona as the sun shines in the early stages of this match. The Catalan outfit have not played at this time on a Sunday since Christmas day 1965. The players stayed in a hotel last night, but I should not think that it will have too much effect on their performance.
Lively start to this match as Getafe force a free kick with Carlos Puyol felling Adrian Colunga outside the penalty area. The resulting set piece is taken by Lacen, but Pique heads clear. Barcelona attempt to threaten on the break as Messi finds Villa, but Lopo comes across to clear at the vital moment.
It must be said that the pitch looks just sensational, especially at this stage of the season. It is almost like playing on carpet. As expected, it is also a full house inside the stadium, with the home supporters enjoying their lunch while watching arguably the best team in the world. Barcelona have just taken control of possession in the past few minutes.
GOAL! Barcelona 1-0 Getafe (Sanchez)
Well, that did not take too long. It's sensational from Andres Iniesta as the Spaniard picks out Alexis Sanchez, who rounds the goalkeeper before slipping the ball into the back of the net for his first La Liga goal of the season. Some start from the Catalan outfit.
Again it's good work from the home side as Sanchez and Villa work the ball from left to right, eventually the latter cuts inside before striking an effort towards goal, but Lopo is on hand to make the block. The pressure continues as Messi drives to the edge of the box before finding Alba, but he can only head over from the resulting cross.
A reminder that Barcelona's Champions League clash with AC Milan does not take place until the week after next, therefore their team selection this afternoon is based on the international matches that preceded it, rather than looking ahead. Barcelona continue to utterly dominate possession with 11 minutes on the clock at the Camp Nou.
Half-chance for the away side as Borja collects possession before attempting to find the run of Diego Castro behind the Barcelona defence, but it just skids off the turf before moving behind for a goal kick. You just get the feeling that this could turn really nasty for Getafe if Barcelona add their second in the next few minutes.
Slightly better from Getafe in the last few minutes with the away side enjoying decent possession in the Barcelona half. Castro attempts to take things into his own hand by driving into the box, but Pique is across to clear. It has been no-nonsense from the Barcelona defence thus far.
GOAL! Barcelona 2-0 Getafe (Messi)
Well, that is game over with 14 minutes on the clock. It's wonderful from Iniesta once more as he finds Thiago in the box, the Spaniard in turn finds Messi, who places his effort into the bottom corner. He has now scored in 13 league matches in a row. Just sensational.
This really could be any score that Barcelona wish. All Getafe can do is continue to make challenges as Alexis tackles Messi on the edge of the box, but the referee awards a free kick. The Argentine attempts to find Villa down the right, but Lopo is across to clear at the vital moment.
Getafe just cannot get out of their own half at the moment as they continue to struggle to string passes together. The work-rate of Barcelona is just sensational as they press high in midfield. Not only are they the best side in the world with the ball, they are probably the best without it as well.
Barcelona continue to pass and probe, with Getafe's only respite coming between free kicks. It is almost like a training match for the home side as they play the match at their own pace. There is just 20 minutes on the clock, but already Getafe are playing for pride rather than attempting to get back into this match. A heavy defeat would harm their confidence.
Slightly bitty period of the match in the last few minutes with both sides guilty of giving away a host of fouls in the opposing half. Getafe attempt to attack down the right once more with Barrada, but Adriano is across to clear, before Lopo challenges Messi down the other end with the Argentine through on goal.
It's football of the highest order as Villa combines with Messi with a wonderful flick before the Argentine chips a cross into the box, but Alexis is across to head clear. The resulting corner also causes problems in the box, but Codina comes out to punch. All 11 Getafe players are behind the ball at the moment.
You have to wonder whether there is a side that can stop Barcelona completing the treble this season? There certainly are, with Real Madrid having something to say in two of those competitions, but how can they be stopped in this sort of form? Iniesta has been a delight to watch in the opening 26 minutes of this match.
Decent response from Getafe in the last couple of moments as they fire two crosses into the box in quick succession, but Puyol heads the first clear before Valdes comes out to claim the second. It doesn't last long, however, as Barcelona move from defence to attack in one pass, as they continue to probe outside the penalty area.
Another half-chance comes to the home side as Messi finds Sanchez in the box, but Codina is out to make a fine save. Messi goes for the spectacular moments later from a Sanchez cross, but for once the Argentine doesn't collect. Little over 15 minutes of the half remaining and Getafe are being suffocated here.
Again Getafe attempt to break with Lacen, but the midfielder's pass towards Barrada is cut out by Song. An effort on goal does come moments later as Colunga strikes towards the top corner, but it just moves high and wide of the goal. Slightly better tempo from the away side in the last few moments.
POST! Messi comes within a whisker of scoring his second of the match as Sanchez finds the Argentine in the penalty area, but somehow he smashes his effort off the post. Messi misses in front of goal?! Stop the press. However, I suspect that will not be his last chance of the match.
Another half-chance comes to Villa as the Spaniard collects possession from Alba before striking towards the bottom corner, but he can only fire wide of the target. A couple of goals this afternoon would do his confidence no harm. Just about 10 minutes of the first period remaining and Barcelona are about as comfortable as they could ever imagine to be.
The tempo of the match has just slowed in the past couple of minutes with Barcelona more than happy to keep hold of possession in their own half. Let me take this moment to remind you that we have three back-to-back La Liga live commentaries from 3.30pm this afternoon. Be sure to join us for that and you will not miss a kick. A corner from Iniesta threatens the Getafe box, but Lopo manages to clear, before Messi heads over moments later.
Little over five minutes of the half remaining and I think it is safe to say that there is no issue between Villa and Messi. Well, not on the pitch anyway. They have been some double act in this first period. I think everyone in the stadium wants to see Villa on the scoresheet in this match. Still not too much for Getafe to get excited about in an attacking sense.
Not too much to report in the final stages of this half, with Barcelona more than happy to keep possession in the Getafe half. A combination between Messi and Sanchez threatens to add their third, but the latter's pass is just too long and Codina is out to collect. Anyone for 3-2 Getafe in this match?!
There is a slight concern that this match could become a non-event in the second period, with the game already over as a contest. Meanwhile, it would not be a surprise to see a red card in the second 45 minutes with the Getafe players continuing to fly into challenges. The away side have already had five red cards this season. Another half-chance arrives for Thiago as he meets a Sanchez cross in the box, but Alexis is on hand to make a fine challenge.
I should not think we will have much stoppage time, if any. Barcelona continue to keep possession in the Getafe half, waiting for that one opportunity to slip the ball behind their defence. In truth, Barcelona's performance has dropped since they scored their second.
HALF-TIME: Barcelona 2-0 Getafe
So there we have it. The referee blows his whistle with Barcelona leading 2-0 at the interval. They were ahead after six minutes when Sanchez scored his first league goal of the season, before Messi added their second on 13 minutes. It has been just about as one-sided as you could possibly imagine.
Let's take a look at some statistics from the opening half of football. Barcelona have enjoyed a stunning 76% of the possession, while they have had six attempts to Getafe's three. There have been two yellow cards awarded by the referee, both to the away side, which is not that surprising.
Let's take a look at both benches for this match. Barcelona have a quite stunning array of talent in their squad with Cesc Fabregas, Pedro and Cristian Tello all capable of influencing proceedings in the final third. Getafe also have options on the bench, however, with Paco Alcacer and Pedro Leon capable of making their mark.
As it stands, Barcelona would move 12 points clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid in the table and some 16 points clear of Real Madrid. Getafe would remain in 12th position, with a nine-point gap from the bottom of the table. The Catalan outfit are well on course for their 20th league win of the season.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of kickoff. No changes for either side at the interval which is not too surprising based on the first period. Can Granada make this more of a contest in the second half? Or will it be another comfortable three points for Barcelona? The home side get the half underway.
Forgive me, Barcelona have indeed made one change at the interval with Dani Alves replacing Adriano. Not a bad sub to have I suppose! One Brazilian international for another. The sun continues to beam down on this glorious afternoon in Barcelona, with Messi taking a kick from Lopo in the early stages of the half.
The interval has not changed the flow of this match with Barcelona continuing to dominate possession in the Getafe half. Once more Iniesta is involved as the Spaniard attempts to find the run of Villa with a searching pass, but Miguel Torres is across to clear at the vital moment.
Another half-chance comes to the home side as Messi finds Alves down the right, the Brazilian takes one touch before firing a cross into the box, but Alexis is on hand to clear under pressure from Villa. Barrada attempts to launch a counter down the other end, but Alves comes across to stop the forward in his tracks.
Not too much to report in the early stages of this second period with Barcelona just about as comfortable as they could ever imagine to be. A goal for Getafe at this stage of the match would certainly make things interesting. However, that could probably only inspire Barcelona into scoring another three or four. Even the referee appears to be enjoying Barcelona's passing at the moment.
The home side continue to pass and probe outside the penalty area with Messi combining with Iniesta before going for the return, but Lopo is across to make the clearance. In fairness to Getafe, they have tightened their defence in the second period, with the Catalan outfit struggling to find the holes that they managed to probe in the early stages of the first half.
CHANCE! It is almost like a training match for Barcelona at the moment as they continue to pass and probe in the Getafe half. Messi comes close to scoring his second as he dances round two challenges before firing towards the bottom corner, but Codina comes across to make a fine save.
GOAL! Barcelona 3-0 Getafe (Villa)
Barcelona do indeed have their third of the afternoon moments before the hour mark as Villa collects a pass from Alba before turning into the back of the net from close range. The Spaniard really needed that goal. It's tough on Getafe who have improved in the second period.
It is understood that Arsenal wanted to sign Villa in the January window, but Barcelona would have been mad to let Spain's all-time leading scorer depart the club. Little under 30 minutes of football remaining and this score could be anything that Barcelona desire.
Getafe continue to chase shadows as Barcelona pass and probe outside their penalty area, with the away side unable to move out of their own half. Another half-chance arrives for the home side as Messi collects a pass from Iniesta in the penalty area, but this time the Argentine cannot collect and Codina is out to clear the danger at the vital moment.
Again Messi comes close as he collects possession outside the box before striking a powerful effort towards goal, but it was always comfortable for Codina. Meanwhile, Getafe make their first change of the match as the former Real Madrid player Pedro Leon comes on to replace Gavilan, who has struggled to get into this match.
So, it has been a successful afternoon for Barcelona thus far with all three of their forward players on the scoresheet in this match. However, the star man on the pitch has been Iniesta once more. He is just a stunning football player. Little over 20 minutes remaining and Barcelona lead 3-0.
Getafe continue to defend in numbers with eight of their 11 forward players behind the ball each time Barcelona commit numbers into their half. Meanwhile, the away side make their second change of the afternoon as Barrada is replaced by Pablo Sarabia. Still no movement on the home side's bench with 20 minutes of football to play.
Iniesta continues to craft and probe in the Getafe half as he moves the ball from right to left towards Sanchez, but the Chilean loses possession at the vital moment with Alexis across to clear the danger. Meanwhile, it appears that Barcelona will make their first change of the match with Tello entering the field.
Getafe make their third and final chance as Alvaro Vasquez replaces Colunga. Meanwhile, Barcelona make their first change as Sanchez is replaced by Tello. It has been a successful afternoon for the winger having scored his first league goal of the season. Little over 15 minutes remaining in the Camp Nou.
Another change is made by the home side as Puyol is replaced by Javier Mascherano. That is just about the biggest cheer of the afternoon as the Spaniard is replaced by the Argentine. No real tempo to the match at the moment with the changes contributing to a stop-start end to this game. Can Getafe gain a consolation?
Not too much to report in the last few moments with Barcelona comfortable in keeping possession. They are not really searching for their fourth goal, rather keeping hold of the ball and attempting to probe their way through this Getafe defence.
GOAL! Barcelona 4-0 Getafe (Tello)
What was I saying? Barcelona are not looking to score? Well Tello had another ideas as he picks up possession outside the box before thumping a powerful effort into the bottom corner. That has added some gloss to the scoreline this afternoon.
GOAL! Barcelona 4-1 Getafe (Vasquez)
The away side do indeed have their consolation goal as Vasquez pounces on a poor header from Alba to fire his effort into the back of the net. That is a really smart finish from the young Spaniard. Barcelona have managed just one clean sheet in the past four months.
What is it with Barcelona and clean sheets this season? They have been wonderful in attack, but they always give teams chances down the other end. The home side go in search of their fifth as Iniesta combines with Villa before searching for Messi, but Codina comes out to claim with confidence.
Barcelona continue to pass and probe in the latter stages of this match with Messi going in search of goal number 300 for the club. The Argentine has an effort from outside the box, but it smashes into Alexis. Little over two minutes of normal time to play and the score remains 4-1 to Barcelona.
CHANCE! Glorious chance for Messi to score his 300th goal as he meets a cross from Alves, but he can only guide his header over the crossbar. The Argentine has certainly improved his heading this season.
GOAL! Barcelona 5-1 Getafe (Iniesta)
Iniesta finally has the goal that his performance has deserved as he collects a loose ball in the penalty area before thumping his effort into the bottom corner. Wonderful from the Spaniard. Little over one minute of stoppage time to play.
GOAL! Barcelona 6-1 Getafe (Pique)
It is embarrassing defending from the away side as Getafe allow Thiago to ghost into the penalty area, the midfielder squares to Pique, who finishes from close range.
FULL-TIME: Barcelona 6-1 Getafe
So there we have it. Barcelona hit six to move 12 points clear at the top of the table. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and look out for our analysis which will be on the site within the next 30 minutes. Good afternoon!
