Barcelona traveled to Gijon on Saturday for a difficult match against Sporting. Barcelona made their travels without Lionel Messi, who will be sidelined for three weeks with a groin injury suffered against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.
In his stead, Neymar and Luis Suarez inspired their side to a resounding 5-0 victory. Neymar registered a brace and Luis Suarez scored Barca's opening goal in the 29th minute.
Rafinha and Arda Turan were the other goal scorers for a Blaugrana side that momentarily went top of the La Liga table. Real Madrid climbed back to the summit later in the day, but they could only manage a 2-2 draw with Las Palmas, reducing their lead to a single point.
Luis Suarez opened the scoring in the 29th minute for Barca after going through on goal and taking a touch around the keeper. It was the Uruguayan’s seventh goal is six La Liga matches.
And @FCBarcelona take the lead. @ArdaTuran provides the pass and @LuisSuarez9 knows what to do with it. #beINLaLiga https://t.co/1uKroVO78H
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) September 24, 2016
Rafinha doubled the advantage in the 31st with a diving header.
And just like that it is 0-2 @FCBarcelona. @Rafinha with a diving header after good Cule teamwork like always. https://t.co/FktPyLGXvr
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) September 24, 2016
Sporting had Alberto Lora dismissed for a second yellow card offense in the 74th minute, effectively ending any hope they had of salvaging a result.
Barcelona were made to wait until the 81st minute for their third goal. Neymar found the back of the net with his third goal of the season.
GOOOOAAALL!@Neymarjr gets on scoresheet after @paco_alcacer rattles woodwork. 0-3 @FCBarcelona. #beINLaLiga https://t.co/brwiVXzjc9
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) September 24, 2016
Area Turan added the fourth goal in the 85th. The rout was on.
GOOOAAALLL!
The goals are starting to flow now. @ArdaTuran after another fine cross by @sergiroberto10. 0-4 https://t.co/LFL5iU3IoF— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) September 24, 2016
Neymar scored his second and fourth goal of the year overall in the 88th minute.
GOOOOAAL!
A fifth for @FCBarcelona as @Neymarjr goes five-hole on goalie after @DenisSuarez6 great pass. #beINLaLiga https://t.co/AtvuqIjKOH— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) September 24, 2016
Barcelona’s next match is against Gladbach in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday. Their next La Liga match follows as they travel to Celta Vigo on October 2nd.
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