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

Barcelona beat city rivals Espanyol 5-0 in the Catalan derby on Sunday, moving one step closer to the Spanish title. 

Lionel Messi gave the hosts an early lead with a perfect free-kick, and Luis Suarez doubled their advantage after half-time. The second goal broke Espanyol's back, and Suarez soon added a third. Substitute Rafinha also got his name on the scoresheet, before Neymar capped a one-sided victory. 

After Levante beat Atletico Madrid on Sunday, the Rojiblancos are out of the title race, as Barcelona hold the superior head-to-head record. Only Real Madrid can still beat the Blaugrana to the title, but Los Blancos chase Barcelona by one point in the standings with just one match left to play.

As the hosts’ official Twitter account shared, there were few surprises in Barcelona’s starting XI, with Messi, Suarez and Neymar all making the team:

Catalan derbies between Barcelona and Espanyol always carry plenty of spice, but Barca were determined to impose themselves on their visitors. From the opening whistle, the hosts pushed up the pitch, and Neymar nearly found Suarez for an early goal, only for his excellent cross to be cut out.

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Messi and Victor Alvarez engaged in an entertaining battle early, and the defender conceded a free-kick from a dangerous area after eight minutes. Messi took the free-kick himself and curled a wonderful effort past goalkeeper Pau Sabata, giving his team the early lead.

Here’s a look at the goal, per Sky Sports La Liga:

As shared by Sky Sports Statto, Barcelona’s form has been superb at home this season:

The Catalans thought they had doubled their advantage just three minutes later, as Messi fired a rebound off Ivan Rakitic's leg and into the net, but the Croatian was in an offside position when the shot was taken, and the goal ruled out.

The battle between Messi and Alvarez continued, and the former became the first booked player after tugging Alvarez’s shirt in the 12th minute.

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Messi almost doubled his tally with an exact copy of his first goal, as Espanyol handed him another chance from a similar position. This time, he put too much power behind his shot, which flew over the crossbar.

Neymar was the next man to try his luck with a free-kick, and while his effort came closer to Pau’s goal, he still missed the target by a few yards. The Brazilian then produced a magnificent rabona to set up Messi, who couldn’t make solid contact with the ball and scuffed the chance wide.

Felipe Caicedo forced Marc-Andre ter Stegen into his first save midway through the first half, and as the half wore on, Espanyol started to grow into the match. La Liga writer Sid Lowe thought the Blaugrana didn’t look great:

The Camp Nou screamed for a penalty after Ruben Duarte appeared to trip Messi, with replays suggesting a spot-kick should have been given, but the hosts took a one-goal lead into half-time.

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Barca increased the tempo again to start the second half, and it yielded results after just seven minutes. Alves found Messi, who in turn sent Suarez through on goal with a clever pass. From close range, the Uruguayan fired a shot into the near corner, easily beating Pau.

Here's a look at the goal from Sky Sports La Liga:

Espanyol's play became increasingly sloppy, and Pau almost gifted the Blaugrana a goal by firing a clearance straight to Suarez. Fortunately for the stopper, the former Liverpool star put too much power behind his cross and failed to find Neymar.

The Brazilian's delivery from a corner minutes later was better, and Suarez found himself entirely unmarked to head home for 3-0. Replays showed the Uruguayan shoved his defender to the ground to create the space, however, something ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan noticed has happened before:

Here's a look at how open Suarez was:

The goal all but ended the match as a contest, as Espanyol refused to send men forward in possession, knowing full well Barcelona have the talent to score three or four more goals in a blink of an eye.

The Blaugrana didn't have to push the accelerator and felt comfortable letting Espanyol pass the ball around. And when Pau made yet another mistake, letting a routine cross roll under his body, substitute Rafinha added a fourth goal.

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Barcelona had nothing to fear from Espanyol at this point and went back on the attack, adding another just minutes later. Suarez could have completed his hat-trick but instead laid the ball off to Neymar, who tapped home from close range.

The Blaugrana will face Granada on the final matchday of the season, a win guaranteeing the club the title, while Espanyol will host Eibar. 

Post-Match Reaction

As shared by Corrigan, manager Luis Enrique sounded confident ahead of the club's final must-win match next week:

Atletico's shock loss against Levante changes little for Barcelona, as the Catalans still have to win their final match of the season against Granada, an in-form team that has secured its spot in next year's La Liga.

Real will go up against Deportivo de La Coruna and have to win and hope Barcelona lose. The Catalans have their destiny in their own hands, and given the tremendous amount of talent Enrique's team boasts, you have to assume they'll be successful in the final week of the season.

They can't take anything for granted, however, as Dutch side Ajax proved earlier on Sunday by losing the Eredivisie title to PSV following a draw against De Graafschap, who will go through relegation play-offs. Every match has to be played, and Granada's strong form is some cause for concern.

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