Barcelona extend La Liga lead with win away to Getafe

Barcelona extended their lead at the top of La Liga to five points as goals from Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez gave them a 2-1 away win at Getafe.

Ernesto Valvede’s side came into this game knowing that victory would put then clear at the top of the table after Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid had dropped points earlier in the day, and they delivered on that objective.

Messi opened the scoring after 20 minutes, pouncing on a loose ball to squeeze a finish in at the near post after nutmegging the goalkeeper. Suarez doubled Barcelona’s advantage by angling a stunning volley into the back of the net from the edge of the box.

Getafe gave themselves a lifeline right at the end of the first half, with Jaime Mata finishing from close range, and the home side put up a fight in the second half as they searched for an equaliser. However, Barca saw out the win to affirm their superiority at the top of La Liga.

With Barcelona pinned back for much of the second half, Philippe Coutinho must have looked at what was unfolding and envisaged how he could change things. However, Valverde only afforded the playmaker six minutes of play right at the end of the game. One year on from his club record transfer from Liverpool, Coutinho has fallen out of favour at Camp Nou. What does he need to do to get more game time? To convince Valverde that he deserves more of a chance?>

This wasn’t a vintage performance from Messi, but when Barcelona needed a game-breaker in the first half he was the one who stood up. The Argentinean’s opening goal wasn’t especially pretty, but he gambled on a high ball when nobody else in the box was willing to do so. With that goal, the dynamic of the match shifted and from that point on Barcelona were in charge, even if Getafe fought back in the second half somewhat.

Getafe - Soria 8, Suarez 7, Diene 8, Cabrera 6, Antunes 7, Foulquier 6, Maksimovic 5, Arambarri 5, Portillo 5, Angel 7, Mata 6. Subs - Ibanez 5, Molina 5, Saiz 5.

Barcelona - Ter Stegen 6, Roberto 6, Pique 6, Lenglet 5, Alba 7, Arthur 6, Rakitic 5, Vidal 6, Messi 8, Suarez 8, Dembele 6. Subs - Coutinho 4, Busquets 7, Alena 3.

8’ GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO... NO! It's ruled out for offside. Getafe believe that they have taken the lead, but Mata's strike is chalked off. The referee says it was a foul in the box.

20’ GOAL! Getafe 0-1 Barcelona: It has come somewhat against the run of play, but Barcelona have taken the lead! Messi pounced on a bouncing ball in the Getafe box, squeezing the ball through the goalkeeper's legs before finishing into the back of the net from a tight angle.

24’ Pique denied! That should have been a second goal for Barcelona. Messi played Alba to the byline, who cut the pass back for Pique, but the defender shoots straight at Soria in goal!

39’ GOAL! Getafe 0-2 Barcelona: What a volley from Suarez! Incredible technique from the Barcelona striker! Getafe partially cleared a freekick into the box, but Suarez met the ball on the full volley, lashing home into the back of the net. Soria stood no chance with that one!

41’ Getafe strike the post! It's just not their night so far! Arambarri gets on the end of a cross into the box, it bounces off Arthur, but comes off the base of the Barcelona post! So close.

43’ GOAL! Getafe 1-2 Barcelona: Getafe have given themselves a lifeline right before the break! Antunes' cross from the left side was a beauty, the ball was then squared by Angel for Mata to finish from close range! The home side are back in this match! Game on.

50’ Across the face! What an opportunity for Getafe to draw level. Ter Stegen's scooped clearance presented Foulquier with the ball. He played through Angel, but his shot flashes across the face of goal.

60’ What a save! Ter Stegen has prevented Getafe from levelling things! Cabrera had the run on the ball from the corner kick, but the Barca goalkeeper pushes over his bullet header!

67’ An absolute sitter! You need to see this. Mata has just missed an open goal, the chance to equalise for Getafe. He rounded Ter Stegen and then skewed his shot high and wide. Wow.

77’ Messi was through! That was a chance for Barcelona to restore their two-goal cushion, but Soria makes the save to deny Messi. Was he tripped by Djene as he went for the rebound?