Barcelona Pilot Reportedly Delights Squad by Announcing Real Madrid Result

Barcelona players were handed a welcome boost during their 13-hour flight to Tokyo, Japan, on Sunday after the pilot informed them of Real Madrid's shock 1-0 defeat away to Villarreal.

According to a report from Spanish daily Marca, the pilot made his announcement from the cockpit at around 6:20 a.m. local time, salving Barca's woes in the wake of Saturday's 2-2 draw with Deportivo La Coruna. The report read that Barca's "party reacted with delight."

Shizuo Kambayashi/Associated Press

Luis Enrique's side assuredly felt as though they'd lost a stride in the title race after dropping points at home to Depor, but one pilot's kindly act made their arrival at the FIFA Club World Cup that much more enjoyable.

But as Spanish writer Sergi Dominguez pointed out, it's now difficult to determine whether Barca should be happier or indeed more saddened at the missed opportunity to extend their La Liga lead:

One thing the Blaugrana can revel in is Real's most recent defeat, and the loss to the Yellow Submarine prevented Rafa Benitez's side from pulling within reach of their El Clasico rivals.

As things stand, Barcelona sit level on points with Atletico Madrid at the Spanish summit, with Los Blancos now five points behind in third spot following their third loss of the Liga season.

Barcelona are in Japan for this year's Club World Cup and face Chinese Super League outfit Guangzhou Evergrande in Thursday's semi-final, hoping to add to 2015's already substantial trophy haul.

It's been four years since Barcelona last clinched the FIFA Club World Cup, and Japan was fittingly the scene of their 2011 triumph over Brazilian giants Santos.