Barcelona stretched their 100% start to the 2017-18 La Liga campaign to seven matches courtesy of a 3-0 win over Las Palmas in Sunday afternoon's behind-closed-doors match at Camp Nou.
The victory has seen Ernesto Valverde's side move five points clear of second-place Sevilla in La Liga, while the gap from the leaders to sixth-place Real Madrid is now 10 points.
First the game was on, then it was off as Barcelona desperately attempted to postpone the fixture due to the scenes of violence in Catalonia.
The Catalan Football Federation had cancelled all games in the fourth tier, in addition to regional and amateur matches due to the violent clashes around the city amid the unofficial independence referendum vote.
Around 25 minutes before kickoff was due to take place, Barcelona, who had requested a postponement from the Spanish Football Federation, confirmed that the league fixture would take place behind closed doors, leaving thousands of supporters outside of Camp Nou.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Well, we are still unclear what is going to happen at Camp Nou. There has been no official confirmation as to whether Barcelona against Las Palmas will go ahead due to the tense situation in Catalonia, but it has been claimed that the match could take place behind closed doors. Stay tuned for the latest surrounding this fixture, and we could potentially have a game for you!
It was reported around an hour ago that the match had been postponed as violence hit Catalonia amid the unofficial independence referendum vote. It is clear that Barcelona do not want to play this match, but there has been no official confirmation as to whether the game goes ahead at this stage.
The Catalan Football Federation has already cancelled all games in the fourth tier, in addition to regional and amateur games, and Barcelona have still not opened their doors to supporters. The match is due to kick off at 3.15pm UK time and 4.15pm local time. What a bizarre situation here.
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has already cast his vote, and tweeted the following earlier: "I have already voted. Together we are unstoppable in defending democracy." But will this match go ahead? There are contrasting reports as Barcelona have still not issued a statement.
BREAKING! Game goes ahead!
Quite an incredible situation...
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Camp Nou. Las Palmas have had a free week to prepare for this match, but Barcelona were in Champions League action against Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday night. Let's run through the two XIs here...
TEAMS!
BARCA: Ter Stegen; Roberto, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Paulinho, Busquets, D.Suarez; Vidal, L.Suarez, Messi
LAS PALMAS: Chichizola; Michel, Ximo, Lemos, Borja; Aquilani, Hernan; Viera, Tana, Oussama; Calleri
Barcelona have won each of the last four league meetings between the two teams – including a 5-0 victory in the corresponding fixture last season. Barcelona also won 4-1 at Las Palmas in their last meeting in May, but Las Palmas have previously held Barcelona at Camp Nou – a 1-1 draw during the 2001-02 campaign. The omens are not too good for the visitors this afternoon.
Barcelona opened their 2017-18 La Liga challenge with back-to-back 2-0 wins over Real Betis and Alaves, before thumping Espanyol 5-0 at Camp Nou after the international break. Then came a 2-1 win at Getafe, before they thumped Eibar 6-1 on September 19. Five wins became six last weekend when they recorded a 3-0 success against Catalan rivals Girona.
Barcelona have scored 20 times in their six league games this season, conceding just twice in the process. It would be fair to claim that Ernesto Valverde's have not yet been seriously tested, but after facing Las Palmas this afternoon, they will travel to Atletico Madrid after the international break.
As it stands, the gap between league leaders Barcelona and sixth-place Real Madrid is seven points. Real Madrid are not in action until later tonight at home to Espanyol, and 10 points would be a serious advantage if Barcelona collect all three points this afternoon. It would not be race over, but it would be some challenge for Real Madrid to overcome at this early stage of the season.
Barcelona have also started their Champions League campaign in fine fashion. The Catalan giants recorded a 3-0 win over Juventus at Camp Nou earlier this month, before beating Sporting Lisbon 1-0 in Portugal on Wednesday. As a result, Barcelona have now won their last eight matches in all competitions.
As for Las Palmas, the Canary islanders will enter this match down in 17th position in the table having collected just six points from their six matches to date. They started the season with a 1-0 defeat at Valencia, before suffering a 5-1 home loss to Atletico Madrid. At that point, serious questions were being asked of a team that struggled in the second half of last season.
The Yellows answered their critics with back-to-back wins over Malaga and Athletic Bilbao, but seem to have fallen into old habits in recent weeks after losing 1-0 at Sevilla and 2-0 at home to Leganes in their last two matches. There is no question that Las Palmas have a lot of talented footballers, but they are one of the favourites to go down for a reason.
It is not as if Las Palmas have an easy run of fixtures ahead, meanwhile, as they will face Barcelona, Villarreal and Real Madrid away in three of their next five league matches. They are level on points with 18th-place Eibar as things stand, and could well find themselves in the bottom three sooner rather than later.
Both sets of players are in the tunnel, and the game goes ahead in an empty stadium. Barcelona did not want to play this match, but also did not want to forfeit the points. Under incredible circumstances, this football match is about to start. There are no supporters inside Camp Nou this afternoon.
KICKOFF! Las Palmas kick things off...
... this is like a training game - it is so bizarre. Just journalists and club officials inside the stadium this afternoon. Will that help Las Palmas? It will be very interesting to see what unfolds in this match.
As expected, Barcelona have taken control of the possession in the early moments, with Vidal involved down the right. Las Palmas are actually pushing quite high, but that will leave space down the other end. Can you imagine if Las Palmas end up winning this match? Good grief. We shall see.
Herrera fires one wide of the Barcelona post after finding space down the left.
SAVE! Roberto brings a decent save from the Las Palmas goalkeeper.
Still goalless with eight minutes on the clock, but Barcelona are forcing the issue as Messi continues to enjoy possession in the final third. Las Palmas are taking the chance to press forward, however, with Calleri and Viera already combining in a dangerous position. Decent start here.
Luis Suarez races into a one-on-one with the Las Palmas goalkeeper, but the striker cannot find a route past the number 13. The linesman, however, had his flag raised. Still goalless at Camp Nou.
Decent little spell of possession for Las Palmas, who seem to have having no problems with the strange atmosphere. Barcelona are still in control of the match, but clear chances have been few and far between. You do get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital.
Pass, pass, pass from Barcelona as they look to work space in the final third, but Las Palmas are not budging as they shuffle across the pitch. Still goalless with 15 minutes on the clock here.
Las Palmas are enjoying themselves at the moment as the team in yellow continue to enjoy decent possession, although Ter Stegen has not yet been tested between the Barcelona sticks. You get the feeling that Barcelona want this match over as soon as possible. Get the job done and move on.
A loose pass from Busquets brings Barcelona's latest attack to a close, with Messi being crowded out in a central position. Las Palmas are not offering too much in the final third, but they have been pretty solid at the back. This bizarre game is still goalless with 20 minutes on the clock here.
Barcelona have a free kick in a dangerous area as Messi is felled just outside the Las Palmas box...
... SAVE! Super save from Chichizola to keep out Messi's free kick!
Denis Suarez dances into the Las Palmas box, but the away side's goalkeeper just about does enough to force the Spaniard wide, and the visitors can clear their lines once again.
Bit of possession for Las Palmas once again as they pass and probe in Barcelona's half of the field.
SAVE! Ter Stegen has to keep out a long-range strike from Tannane.
Busquets is on hand to block an effort from Calleri after Mascherano had conceded possession in a dangerous area. Las Palmas are looking dangerous as we approach the 30-minute mark here.
Half-chance for Las Palmas once again as Tannane breaks into the Barcelona box, but Roberto makes a super clearance ahead of Calleri. Barcelona are struggling a touch at the moment.
Little under 15 minutes of the first period remaining, and the score is still goalless. Both teams have had chances to make the breakthrough, but the tempo has not been at the normal level of a La Liga match. Just a reminder that this fixture is being played inside an empty Camp Nou. It is bizarre.
Pique heads a near-post corner over the Las Palmas crossbar.
CLOSE! Paulinho heads just wide of the post after meeting a cross from Roberto! Wonderful chance for the Brazilian, but he could not take it as Las Palmas survive.
BOOKING! Paulinho (Barcelona) is booked for a late tackle on Chichizola.
BOOKING! Pique (Barcelona) is booked for a foul on Calleri.
Las Palmas have played some really nice football in the first half of this match. The visitors have also created some brilliant chances, but have been unable to make the breakthrough. Still goalless with 38 minutes on the clock, and the team from Gran Canaria are having a good afternoon.
Denis Suarez drives towards the Las Palmas box before feeding Messi, but the Argentine cannot slide a pass into Luis Suarez as the team in yellow manage to clear their lines. Not an awful lot to report in terms of clear chances as we approach the latter stages of the first period in Catalonia.
Calleri bullies his way into the Barcelona box, but the number nine does not have any support, and Barcelona survive a dangerous moment. Las Palmas are the better team at the moment.
It would be fair to say that Barcelona are playing this game against their will, and Las Palmas are not willing to just sit down and take a defeat here. The visitors have been excellent for long spells of this first period, and might well have taken the lead. Calleri is bullying Mascherano and Pique.
POST! Calleri crashes one against the post from inside the Barcelona box!
Messi smashes the ball into the stands as the half-time whistle draws closer here.
HALF-TIME: Barcelona 0-0 Las Palmas
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0. Las Palmas have actually been the better team at Camp Nou, with the visitors enjoying themselves inside this empty stadium. Barcelona will have to raise themselves in the second half of this match.
STATS! Las Palmas, incredibly, had more possession than Barcelona in the first period, with the visitors enjoying 55% of the ball. The visitors also managed five attempts - one of which was on target. Barcelona, meanwhile, hit the target with two of their eight attempts in the first half here.
BENCH WATCH! Deulofeu, Gomes, Iniesta and Rakitic are all on the Barcelona bench this afternoon, and it would not be a surprise to see at least two of those in the second period. Las Palmas, meanwhile, have second-half options in the shape of Garcia, Gomez, Simon and Toledo.
RESTART! Las Palmas resume the action here...
... BARCELONA SUB! Rakitic has replaced Paulinho at the interval.
BARCELONA SUB! It is a double change as Iniesta also replaces Vidal.
Barcelona have a free kick in a dangerous area as Lemos brings Suarez to the deck...
... SAVE! Chichizola keeps out Messi's free kick!
SAVE! Chichizola saves a Rakitic strike as Barcelona threaten once again.
GOAL! Barcelona 1-0 Las Palmas (Busquets)
Barcelona make the breakthrough in the 49th minute as Busquets's glancing header ends up in the back of the net! What a massive goal from the Spain midfielder. Barcelona lead on home soil.
SAVES! Chichizola keeps out efforts from Messi and Suarez as Barcelona threaten to run riot in the early stages of the second period. It is all happening now!
WIDE! Tannane sends one just wide of Barcelona's post after a super run!
BOOKING! Luis Suarez (Barcelona) is booked for diving inside the box!
Good grief it is all happening at the start of the second period. I would be very surprised if we had seen the last of the goals as both teams continue to commit players in the final third of the field.
Lemos fires a long-range free kick over the crossbar as Las Palmas look to hit back early in the second period. Still the best part of 35 minutes to play in this La Liga clash at Camp Nou.
CHANCE! Messi heads a Luis Suarez cross just wide of the post!
Chichizola comes out to make another super save to deny Luis Suarez, but the striker was offside once again. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining, and Barcelona still lead 1-0 on home soil.
There is no question that Barcelona would be happy for the referee to blow his final whistle now. This game is not about the performance, or the goals. It is about taking three points, and then dealing with the aftermath of what has occurred in Catalonia. The hosts are pushing for a second though.
Tannane continues to carry for the fight for the visitors, with the number 10 causing all sorts of problems in the final third. You do get the feeling that there could be something in this match for Las Palmas, who have plenty of pace on the counter-attack, and fresh legs on the bench.
Viera strikes wide of the Barcelona post from distance.
Both teams are playing very good football at the moment, with Las Palmas showing their ability in the final third. Barcelona continue to push for a second, but Chichizola has been impressive between the sticks - keeping out another attempt from Messi in the 66th minute.
Little over 20 minutes of football remaining at Camp Nou, and Barcelona still lead 1-0. You do get the feeling that there are more goals in this, however, as both teams press players forward.
Half-chance for Barcelona as Messi finds Rakitic in a dangerous position, but the midfielder has his effort blocked by Lemos as Las Palmas continue to defend their lines inside this silent stadium.
CLOSE! Messi misses the post with a snap shot!
GOAL! Barcelona 2-0 Las Palmas (Messi)
Barcelona have their second, and surely secure all the points, as Messi collects a super pass from Denis Suarez before rounding the Las Palmas goalkeeper and sliding home!
Alba delivers a low cross into the Las Palmas box, but the away side's goalkeeper is on hand to collect once again. Little over 15 minutes of football remaining, and Barcelona lead 2-0 here.
Las Palmas will make their first change of the match in the next break of play. It is a damage limitation exercise for the visitors in the final 15 minutes of this behind-closed-doors fixture.
GOAL! Barcelona 3-0 Las Palmas (Messi)
Messi has his second of the match as the Argentine collects a brilliant pass from Luis Suarez before finding the back of the net. That is game, set and match for the home side here.
LAS PALMAS SUBS! Gomez and Toledo replace Hernan and Tana.
Possession football for Barcelona in the last few minutes as the home side look to add more goals in the latter stages. Las Palmas are struggling to keep the ball with 82 minutes on the clock.
Pass, pass, pass from Barcelona, who are preparing to make their third change of the match.
BARCELONA SUB! Andre Gomes replaces Iniesta for the home side.
Half-chance for the visitors as Tannane breaks into the Barcelona box once again, but the number 10's effort is wide of the far post. He has been the pick of the Las Palmas players this afternoon.
Just a reminder that Barcelona are about to record their seventh straight league win of the season, which will actually take them 10 points clear of Real Madrid in the table. I should not imagine that we will have too much injury time here - it has not really been a stop-start match to be honest.
We are into the first of two additional minutes at the end of the 90, and Luis Suarez has just flashed another effort wide of the post. There will be no goal for the striker this afternoon!
FULL-TIME: Barcelona 3-0 Las Palmas
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Barcelona recording a 3-0 win over Las Palmas at Camp Nou as the Catalan outfit make it seven from seven in the league this season. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again. Until next time!
