Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez all found the net for Barcelona against Eibar, but the Catalans were made to fret over an injury suffered by Sergio Busquets.
The holding midfielder was taken off on a stretcher after just 13 minutes and will undergo tests on Monday to determine how badly his ankle was injured. Nonetheless, Barca took a grip of the contest when his replacement Denis Suarez arrowed a shot into the bottom corner just after the half-hour mark.
Barcelona's midfielder Denis Suarez (C) celebrates after scoring the opener during the Spanish league football match SD Eibar vs FC Barcelona at the Ipurua stadium in Eibar on January 22, 2017.
Image credit: AFP
Luis Enrique’s side doubled their advantage in the second half, with Messi cushioning a volley home following an exceptional cross to the back post by Suarez. The Uruguayan found the net himself soon after with a near post finish.
And Neymar completed the scoring in stoppage, ending a nine-match scoring drought as Barcelona closed the gap on Real Madrid to just two points at the top of the Liga table.
TALKING POINT
How damaging will the injury to Sergio Busquets be? Barcelona left the Basque country with three points and four goals, but they also left with an injury to Busquets, who was withdrawn on a stretcher after just 13 minutes. Early indications are that the holding midfielder could miss up to six weeks of action, with Andres Iniesta also sidelined. Just how much will that impact on Barcelona and their chances of catching Real Madrid at the top of La Liga?
Barcelona's midfielder Sergio Busquets is stretched out during the Spanish league football match SD Eibar vs FC Barcelona at the Ipurua stadium in Eibar on January 22, 2017.
Image credit: AFP
MAN OF THE MATCH
Lionel Messi (Barcelona): This wasn’t a vintage Messi performance, but this illustrated how well-rounded he has become in recent years. The Argentine spent much of the first half dropping deep to help out his midfield team-mates, before playing as a forward in the second period, finding the net to complete what was an extremely impressive display.
Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Spanish league football match SD Eibar vs FC Barcelona at the Ipurua stadium in Eibar on January 22, 2017.
Image credit: AFP
PLAYER RATINGS
Eibar - Yoel 6, Escalante 6, Capa 6, Inui 5, Enrich 7, Garcia 5, Dos Santos 5, Luna 6, Lejeuene 5, Leon 6, Adrian 7. Subs - Rico 5, Pena 5, Rivera 5.
Barcelona - Ter Stegen 6, Rakitic 6, Sergio 5, Arda 5, Suarez 7, Messi 8, Neymar 7, Alba 5, Roberto 5, Umtiti 6, Mathieu. Subs - Alcacer 6, Vidal 6, Denis 7.
KEY MOMENTS
13’ STRETCHER IS OUT! This is a real worry for Barcelona. Busquets has been seriously injured and he will have to be replaced. The midfielder is leaving the pitch on a stretcher.
32’ GOAL! Eibar 0-1 Barcelona: This goal has come against the run of play! The ball falls to Denis about 20 yards out and the former Villarreal man finds the bottom corner with a low strike.
50’ GOAL! Eibar 0-2 Barcelona: That's an excellent goal from Barcelona. Suarez finds the run of Messi at the back post, and the Argentine takes all the pace off the ball and finishes on the side-foot volley.
69’ GOAL! Eibar 0-3 Barcelona: Excellent strength and tenacity from Suarez to win the ball from the defender and sprint clean through on goal. And then he calmly finished into the gap at the near post.
Barcelona's Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez celebrates after scoring his team's third goal during the Spanish league football match SD Eibar vs FC Barcelona at the Ipurua stadium in Eibar on January 22, 2017.
Image credit: AFP
91’ GOAL! Eibar 0-4 Barcelona: Finally, Neymar gets his goal and the drought is over for the Brazilian. Alcacer allowed a cross to run across him and Neymar finishes at the near post.
KEY STATS
Neymar ended a run of nine La Liga games without a goal, scoring his first goal from open play since October.
Barcelona have ended the first half of the Liga season on 41 points, their lowest return at this stage of the season since 2007-08.
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