Deportivo La Coruna vs. Barcelona: Score, Reaction from 2016 La Liga Match

Barcelona got their La Liga title challenge back on track with an 8-0 thrashing of Deportivo La Coruna at the Estadio Riazor on Wednesday thanks to a four-goal haul from Luis Suarez, who also assisted three of their goals.  

The Uruguayan struck twice in each half and set up Ivan Rakitic, Lionel Messi and Neymar to mark his side's return to winning ways with a majestic performance, while Marc Bartra also got on the scoresheet with a sublime solo effort.

As the scoreline suggests, the Catalan giants were dominant throughout, though Deportivo missed two crucial chances at 1-0.

The hosts sat back from the outset and piled men behind the ball, but it did not stop Barca from having some early chances, as Suarez flashed a shot just wide of the top corner before Messi forced a save from Manu.

Just 10 minutes in the visitors had the lead when Suarez got on the end of Rakitic's corner just two yards out and poked the ball beyond Manu, via Sky Sports La Liga:

The Blaugrana had an excellent chance to net a second soon after when their attacking trio broke with frightening pace, but Deportivo's scrambling defenders were able to shut down Lionel Messi, who took the ball himself when he should have passed to Neymar.

It almost proved costly as the Branquiazuis had two excellent chances in quick succession—Celso Borges directed an excellent cross straight at Claudio Bravo before Oriol Riera fired high just six yards out after the ball fell to him in the box.

Barca punished the hosts' profligacy with a second in the 23rd minute as Suarez calmly finished an exquisite through ball from Messi:

As the Guardian's Sid Lowe noted, the home side had reason to be hopeful even despite the deficit:

It should have been 3-0 before half-time, though, but Suarez contrived to miss from just two yards after being expertly picked out by Dani Alves' cross. Per journalist Dermot Corrigan, despite his clinical finishing, it is not the first time the Uruguayan has missed a gilt-edged chance:

The forward made amends as he turned provider immediately after the restart, chipping the ball up for Rakitic to volley in with style:

As Sky Sports Statto noted, the goal was the 150th of Barca's campaign. Soon after, they scored their 151st with Suarez completing his hat-trick one-on-one with Manu after being fed expertly by Messi:

Corrigan shared the remarkable stats behind the striker's season:

Barca continued to pour forward at every opportunity, and Suarez was rewarded with his fourth after Neymar unselfishly squared the ball to him from eight yards out, though he needed two bites at the cherry after Laure managed to block his first effort:

Messi was up next, and Suarez was once again at the heart of the action, this time crossing for the Argentinian to pass into the net from close range.

Bartra got in on the action and took full advantage of Deportivo's absent defending, picking the ball up just inside the centre circle before charging through the hosts and applying a cool finish.

Neymar finally closed out the scoring after Suarez neatly slid the ball to him, and he rounded Manu before smashing in:

Such a performance was just what manager Luis Enrique's side needed after their poor run of form, and picking up three points is vital to put pressure on their title rivals.

They should have little problem when they take on Sporting Gijon on Saturday.

Post-Match Reaction

Per Barca's official website, Enrique said:

"

We played a great game and were very effective, creating infinite options. It was a spectacular result for us. We didn’t concede any goals and won away from home.

We moved down the wings really well, with Leo making his superiority tell, and we made sure we took our early chances. From there on, everything was on a roll.

"

Despite the win seeing Barca remain with the initiative in the title race, the Spaniard conceded it would be a difficult task: "We have a wonderful challenge ahead of us. And that challenge is to retain the league title. But there are still four games to go and I’m sure it’s not going to be easy."