Philippe Coutinho, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez score in Barcelona win over Girona

Barcelona stretched their lead at the top of La Liga to 10 points, with Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho all finding the net in a 6-1 win over Catalan rivals Girona.

The visitors to the Camp Nou, who were playing their first ever official game at the famous stadium, took a surprise lead after just three minutes, with Portu making the most of some loose defending by Samuel Umtiti. But Barca replied almost instantly through Suarez and never looked back.

Suarez would go on to score a hat-trick, with Messi finding the back of the net twice as he pulled the strings from a deep position. For the first time since his club record move from Liverpool last month, Coutinho also looked the part in a Barca shirt, firing home a stunning strike from distance.

With Atletico Madrid up against Sevilla on Sunday, Ernesto Valverde’s side now boast a double figures at the top of La Liga as they continue their march to the title essentially unchallenged. They could effectively win it by beating Atleti next weekend.

Up until this point, Coutinho had looked like something of a misfit at Barcelona. There was no doubting his quality, but Valverde had struggled to find a role for the Brazilian playmaker. Against Girona, though, Coutinho was given more freedom to roam, highlighting his ability with a stunning strike from the edge of the box, smashing home a finish off the inside of the post. Things might turn out alright for the former Liverpool man at his new club after all.

As if there was any doubt about Messi’s quality, this reminded us all of just how good the Argentine is. It’s not just that he’s the best goalscorer in European football, but that he’s the passer of the ball too. He took enormous joy in clipping balls over the top of the high Girona line for Suarez to chase, bagging a brace of his own. Messi might just be in the form of his life at the moment, and that's saying something.

Barcelona - Ter Stegen 8, Semedo 6, Pique 6, Umtiti 4, Alba 7, Busquets 6, Rakitic 6, Coutinho 8, Dembele 7, Messi 9, Suarez 8. Subs - Paulinho 5, Roberto 6, Vermaelen 6.

Girona - Bono 7, Maffeo 6, Ramalho 5, Juanpe 6, Bernardo 7, Aday 6, Granell 6, Pons 5, Garcia 5, Portu 7, Lozano 6. Subs - Garcia 5, Planas 5, Luiz 5.

3’ GOAL! Barcelona 0-1 Girona: Wow! Girona have taken the lead at the Camp Nou! Slack play from Umtiti gifts the away side the ball and Portu does really well to get a shot across goal and in off the inside of the far post. What a start!

5’ GOAL! Barcelona 1-1 Girona: The league leaders reply immediately! Suarez got in behind the Girona backline, with Messi threading through the pass. The Barcelona striker slides a finish underneath the goalkeeper. Back on level terms.

20’ OFF THE LINE! Inches away from being the perfect finish from Messi. He got in behind and lobbed a shot over Bono, but Bernardo was back to make the clearing header off the line.

29’ GOAL! Barcelona 2-1 Girona: Messi has given Barcelona the lead! Suarez was played in behind, passes to his teammate, who looked to have wasted the chance. But he cut back and whipped home a finish.

36’ GOAL! Barcelona 3-1 Girona: He has scored another! Messi recognised that with the freekick so close to goal he wouldn't get it up and over the wall, so he slid it underneath! They all jumped. What a goal.

44’ GOAL! Barcelona 4-1 Girona: Barcelona are surely out of sight now! That was a very stylish goal, with Messi, Coutinho and Suarez linking up. It was the latter who applied the finishing touch from close range.

57’ OFF THE POST! That was very close to being the hat-trick for Suarez. It was Dembele who teed up the former Liverpool striker, but he strikes the base of the post after opening up his body for the shot.

66’ GOAL! Barcelona 5-1 Girona: The first real sign of Coutinho brilliance in a Barcelona shirt! He spins back towards goal on the edge of the box and curls home a right-footed finish, in off the inside of the post. What a goal from the Brazilian!

76’ GOAL! Barcelona 6-1 Girona: Suarez simply couldn't miss from there! Dembele got down the right side and crossed for his teammate, who had the simple task of converting into the empty net from a matter of yards out.

83’ ON TO THE BAR! Vermaelen jumped highest from a corner kick and directed a header towards goal, but Bono tipped the effort on to the crossbar. Very close for the Belgian defender.

Philippe Coutinho’s first goal for Barcelona was assisted by Luis Suarez (against Valencia in the Copa del Rey) and Philippe Coutinho’s first assist was scored by Luis Suarez (against Girona in La Liga).

Lionel Messi has now scored against more teams than any other player in La Liga history, surpassing Raul and Aritz Aduriz (35).