Barcelona vs. Espanyol: Score, Reaction from 2016 La Liga Match

Barcelona beat city rivals Espanyol 5-0 in the Catalan derby on Sunday, moving one step closer to the Spanish title. 

Lionel Messi gave the hosts an early lead with a perfect free-kick, and Luis Suarez doubled their advantage after half-time. The second goal broke Espanyol’s back, and Suarez soon added a third. Substitute Rafinha also got his name on the scoresheet, before Neymar capped a one-sided victory. 

After Levante beat Atletico Madrid on Sunday, the Rojiblancos are out of the title race, as Barcelona hold the superior head-to-head record. Only Real Madrid can still beat the Blaugrana to the title, but Los Blancos chase Barcelona by one point in the standings with just one match left to play.

As the hosts’ official Twitter account shared, there were few surprises in Barcelona’s starting XI, with Messi, Suarez and Neymar all making the team:

???????? Barça Xi:1.Ter Stegen3. Piqué4.Rakitic5.Sergio6.Alves8.A.Iniesta9.Suárez10.Messi11.Neymar Jr14.Mascherano18.J.Alba#FCBlive

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) May 8, 2016

Catalan derbies between Barcelona and Espanyol always carry plenty of spice, but Barca were determined to impose themselves on their visitors. From the opening whistle, the hosts pushed up the pitch, and Neymar nearly found Suarez for an early goal, only for his excellent cross to be cut out.

Messi and Victor Alvarez engaged in an entertaining battle early, and the defender conceded a free-kick from a dangerous area after eight minutes. Messi took the free-kick himself and curled a wonderful effort past goalkeeper Pau Sabata, giving his team the early lead.

Here’s a look at the goal, per Sky Sports La Liga:

“It’s Messi, it’s magnificent!” Barcelona 1-0 Espanyol SS2 now! More here: https://t.co/9iOexptrHA https://t.co/4et4PSUVfh

— Sky Sports La Liga (@revistadelaliga) May 8, 2016

As shared by Sky Sports Statto, Barcelona’s form has been superb at home this season:

Messi scores – Barcelona are the only team in La Liga to have scored in all 19 home league games this season #LaLiga pic.twitter.com/npOzXBUCid

— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) May 8, 2016

The Catalans thought they had doubled their advantage just three minutes later, as Messi fired a rebound off Ivan Rakitic’s leg and into the net, but the Croatian was in an offside position when the shot was taken, and the goal ruled out.

The battle between Messi and Alvarez continued, …

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