Racing de Santander vs. FC Barcelona: Messi stamps his mark (0-2)

Santander (FCB).- A goal in each half from Lionel Messi was enough to give FC Barcelona the points and their sixth win on the run in a game they dominated from the off.  Barça controlled possession and showed clinical finishing up front with Messi adding to his five goals in midweek with two more that take him even closer to FC Barcelona’s all time leading scorer Cesar, who he now trails by just five goals. The win leaves Barça 10 points off the Spanish League leader, Real Madrid, going into a week where they have no game until next Saturday’s trip to the Sanchez Pijuan to face Seville.

Only one team attacking

Barça Manager, Pep Guardiola, showed his attacking intentions with his team selection, lining up with a three man defence made up of Alves, Mascherano and the fit again Puyol, and with Racing sitting deep and hoping to hold out for a goalless draw, Barça were soon in charge, commanding possession and controlling the game. It looked to be simply a matter of when rather than if the first goal would come.

Messi and Cesc link up

Pedro had the first good chance, with a drive that just shaved the post before Iniesta rattled the woodwork and Cesc was only denied by the busy Mario in the Racing Santander goal. The resistance could only last so long though, and when Xavi set up Cesc on the right, his pinpoint cross gave Messi a simple tap in to open the scoring.

Messi marks his half century

Racing now went even further back into their shell, which simply allowed Barça more time on the ball to find a way through the hosts’ packed defence and when Cisma brought down Cesc in the box after the break, Messi made no mistake from the spot for his 50^th goal of the season.

With the game done and dusted, Guardiola rang the changes and gave Tello, Keita and Adriano a run out, with Cuenca, Xavi and Pedro coming off.