Soccer

Barcelona equal club record as Getafe are torn asunder

Spanish side in devastating form ahead of second leg with Arsenal

Barcelona’s Turkish midfielder Arda Turan scores his side’s sixth goal with an overhead kick in the Primera Division match against Getafe at the Nou Camp. Photograph: Josep Lago/AFP/Getty Images
Barcelona’s Turkish midfielder Arda Turan scores his side’s sixth goal with an overhead kick in the Primera Division match against Getafe at the Nou Camp. Photograph: Josep Lago/AFP/Getty Images
Sat Mar 12 2016 - 21:43

Barcelona 6 Getafe 0

Lionel Messi scored and provided three assists as Barcelona equalled a club record of 12 consecutive league wins by thrashing struggling Getafe at the Nou Camp on Saturday.

The Argentine, who also missed a penalty, scored with a brilliant curling finish from the edge of the area, while Neymar marked his return to action after suspension by netting either side of half-time.

The win takes Barca eight points clear of nearest challengers Atletico Madrid at the top of La Liga, with Diego Simeone’s side proving too strong for Deportivo La Coruna, winning 3-0 at the Vicente Calderon later on Saturday.

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Antoine Griezmann’s 23rd goal of the season was sandwiched by Saul Niguez’s first-half header and a late third from Angel Correa as Atletico secured their fourth straight league.

Atletico could have won by a wider margin as Yannick Carrasco’s second-half shot hit the crossbar, while Deportivo’s run without a league win was extended to 13 matches.

An own goal by Getafe defender Juan Rodriguez put Barca on their way to their 12th straight victory after eight minutes but then Messi missed a fourth penalty of the season, before laying on passes for Munir El Haddadi and Neymar to stretch Barca's lead.

The 28-year-old added the fourth before the break and was soon setting up Neymar again in the second half, threading the ball into the path of the Brazilian, who scored his 25th goal of the season in all competitions.

Then Arda Turan completed the thrashing with an overhead volley to finish off the hapless visitors, who have lost eight of their last nine league games.

Luis Enrique's side are in the midst of a record of 37 matches without defeat in all competitions and the victory over Getafe matched the 12 straight league wins they achieved in 2012-13 under coach Tito Vilanova.

"We're a unique team, different from the rest, and the opposition can't do anything to stop us," Luis Enrique told a news conference.

Barca went into the match without having to play in midweek for the first time in 2016, yet Luis Enrique still made five changes from the team that won 4-0 at Eibar last Sunday.

The Catalans host Arsenal on Wednesday hoping to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League after beating the Premier League side 2-0 in the first leg.

They have almost a full squad for the remainder of the season, with only midfielder Rafinha and forward Sandro Ramirez out through injury.

“We have almost all our players available, we’re in a very favourable situation and it’s great to see the team ready to compete every few days,” added Luis Enrique.

“We’re in a great situation and feeling very confident.”