Skip to main content

Barcelona 5 Espanyol 0: MSN all score as hosts close on La Liga glory

Barcelona are one win away from defending their Liga title after romping to a 5-0 derby success over Espanyol at Camp Nou on Sunday.

Luis Enrique's men ensured there would be no repeat of the 2007 'Tamudazo' derby, where a draw in the penultimate match of the season allowed Real Madrid to win that year's league under Fabio Capello.

Barca's post-Clasico wobble is now well and truly behind them and they were on their way after eight minutes when Messi – who had won the free-kick himself – curled a magnificent effort into the top corner.

The hosts thought they had made it two a few moments later, but Ivan Rakitic was denied by the offside flag as he helped Messi's shot over the line in a crowded six-yard box after Suarez's initial effort had been saved.

Neymar came close with a free-kick of his own, while Felipe Caicedo shot straight at Marc-Andre ter Stegen – starting in place of the injured Claudio Bravo in Barca's only change – at the other end.

Suarez then netted his 37th league goal of the season just after the hour mark, freeing himself from the attention of Javi Lopez to head in Neymar's corner, and score the 1000th in this La Liga campaign.