Rayo Vallecano vs. Barcelona: Score, Reaction from 2016 La Liga Match
Barcelona's procession to the Primera Division title continued on Thursday as the Blaugrana beat Rayo Vallecano 5-1 at the Campo de Futbol de Vallecas in Madrid, with Lionel Messi claiming a hat-trick.
Ivan Rakitic opened the scoring for Barca, and Manucho grabbed a consolation for Vallecano in the second half as Messi ran riot. Arda Turan wrapped up the points with a fifth goal in the final moments as Rayo were reduced to nine men after two red cards.
The win saw Barcelona achieve their 35th consecutive unbeaten match in all competitions, claiming the record originally held by Real Madrid in Spain.
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Barca coach Luis Enrique fielded his MSN trinity of Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar as he searched for the win that places the treble winners eight points clear at the top of La Liga and 12 points ahead of Madrid.
Enrique made three alterations to the side that beat Sevilla at the Camp Nou, with Javier Mascherano, Rakitic and Andres Iniesta returning to the starting lineup to replace Aleix Vidal, Jordi Alba and Turan.
Rayo boss Paco Jemez decided to make two changes to his side that drew 2-2 with Real Betis, with Ze Castro and Miku making way for Jose Crespo and Manucho.
The hosts started positively as they looked to put Barca under pressure, but the visitors were dangerous on the break as they soaked up the Red Sashes' best.
Messi was adjudged offside as he slotted home after nine minutes, and despite the goal being chalked off, the writing was on the wall for Rayo.
Ivan Rakitic opened the scoring for Barca midway through the first half after a bad mistake by goalkeeper Juan Carlos. The 28-year-old spilled the ball from a routine take, allowing the midfielder to tap the ball home into an open net.
Barca took just 60 seconds to double their lead as Messi scored from a scintillating breakaway. The Argentinian found Neymar through the middle; the Brazilian penetrated the area, immediately returning the ball for his attacking partner to score.
Football writer Sid Lowe highlighted the hosts' defensive frailties:
Rayo were reduced to 10 men shortly before the break as defender Diego Llorente was given his marching orders for a challenge on Rakitic.
Replays showed the decision was harsh as the on-loan Real Madrid centre-back clearly won the ball, with his momentum accidentally forcing him to make contact with the Croatian.
Lowe gave his opinion about the foul and punishment:
Barca carried on where they left off in the second half and effectively ended the game in the 53rd minute as Messi grabbed his second.
The icon shot first-time as Suarez initially drilled in an effort, giving the treble winners an unassailable 3-0 lead.
However, Rayo began the fightback immediately and were rewarded for their endeavour just four minutes later.
Manucho claimed the goal to delight the home supporters, combining with his former Manchester United team-mate Bebe to head home after poor defending from Gerard Pique and Mascherano.
The hosts' fightback was further damaged by a second red card, as Manuel Iturra was sent off for denying Sergio Busquets a clear goalscoring opportunity, fouling the midfielder as he looked to add a fourth and conceding a penalty.
However, Suarez stepped up to take the spot-kick and saw his effort saved by Carlos, who atoned for his error in the first half.
ESPN's Dermot Corrigan called the action:
The miss didn't halt Barca, though, and Messi completed his hat-trick after 72 minutes. The attacker was fed by Busquets, and glided towards the box, calmly slotting the ball beyond a stricken Carlos to make it 4-1.
Turan wrapped up the points with five minutes left on the clock, heading his chance away at the far post to complete a simple night for the league leaders.
Barca strolled to victory on Thursday night, and the title in now theirs to lose as the powerhouses from Madrid watch the Catalan giants steam ahead.
Post-Match Reaction
Enrique was delighted after his side's crushing win at Rayo, and commented about his tactics on Thursday night, as quoted by the club's official website:
"I liked it [the game] a lot. We went into the game in the best possible way, with the right attitude. We created occasions and I never felt that the game was in danger. When this team plays that well and that intensely, then we’re very difficult to stop.
Against a team like Rayo who mark man-to-man, [Claudio] Bravo is the only free player and can generate plays from long balls. That was very important for us. We wanted him to combine with the forwards and create chances. That’s what we were looking for. And the mobility among our strikers was a key element of today’s game.
"
Barca feature next in La Liga on Sunday when they travel to Eibar. Rayo play on the following day as they visit Espanyol.
