Barcelona wallop Getafe 6-0, set 12th straight win record

Lionel Messi scored and provided three assists as Barcelona equaled a club record of 12 consecutive league wins by thrashing struggling Getafe at the Nou Camp on Saturday.

The Argentine, who also missed a penalty, scored with a brilliant curling finish from the edge of the area, while Neymar marked his return to action after suspension by netting either side of half-time.

The win takes Barca 11 points clear of nearest challengers Atletico Madrid at the top of La Liga, although Diego Simeone’s side are facing Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday night.

An own goal by Getafe defender Juan Rodriguez put Barca on their way to their 12th straight victory after eight minutes but then Messi missed a fourth penalty of the season, before laying on passes for Munir El Haddadi and Neymar to stretch Barca’s lead.

The 28-year-old added the fourth before the break and was soon setting up Neymar again in the second half, threading the ball into the path of the Brazilian, who scored his 25th goal of the season in all competitions.

Then Arda Turan completed the thrashing with an overhead volley to finish off the hapless visitors, who have lost eight of their last nine league games.

Luis Enrique’s side are in the midst of a record of 37 matches without defeat in all competitions and the victory over Getafe matched the 12 straight league wins they achieved in 2012-13 under coach Tito Vilanova.

Read also: Man City stumble in EPL title race

“We’re a unique team, different from the rest, and the opposition can’t do anything to stop us,” Luis Enrique told a news conference.

Barca went into the match without having to play in midweek for the first time in 2016, yet Luis Enrique still made five changes from the team that won 4-0 at Eibar last Sunday.

The Catalans host Arsenal on Wednesday hoping to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League after beating the Premier League side 2-0 in the first leg.

They have almost a full squad for the remainder of the season, with only midfielder Rafinha and forward Sandro Ramirez out through injury.

“We have almost all our players available, we’re in a very favourable situation and it’s great to see the team ready to compete every few days,” added Luis Enrique.

“We’re in a great situation and feeling very confident.”

 

 

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