Barcelona travelled to Rayo Vallecano on Saturday looking to continue their 100% start to the La Liga season.
Pedro fired Barcelona into the lead after 33 minutes, but Rayo skipper Roberto Trashorras passed up the opportunity to level from the penalty spot in the latter stages of the first period.
Pedro scored his second in the early stages of the second half, before completing his hat trick 20 minutes from time.
Barcelona were not finished there, however, with Cesc Fabregas adding their fourth with a curling effort in the latter stages.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our penultimate La Liga live commentary of the evening comes from the Spanish capital as Rayo welcome Barcelona. The home side did pick up all three points on their first match of the season against Elche, but they have lost three times since – 5-0 to Atletico Madrid, 2-1 to Levante and 5-0 to Malaga.
Barcelona, meanwhile, have won all four of their league matches thus far, but they have conceded four goals in their last two league games and needed a late strike from Alexis Sanchez to beat Sevilla last weekend. The Catalan outfit also began their Champions League campaign in style last week with a 4-0 win over Ajax at the Camp Nou.
To suggest that Rayo are sick of the sight of Barcelona would be putting it mildly. Last season Barcelona put five past them in this stadium, but the season before they won 7-0. Of the last four matches between the two sides, Barcelona have won all four, scoring 19 goals in the process and conceding just once. Over to you Rayo!
TEAMS:
RAYO VALLECANO XI: Ruben; Arbilla, Tito, Galvez, Mojica; Trashorras, Baena, Saul, Bueno; Perea, Viera
BARCELONA XI: Valdes; Montoya, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Fabregas, Xavi, Song; Pedro, Messi, Neymar
So there we have it. No real surprises in the Rayo XI this evening with Alberto Perea once more joined in the final third by Jonathan Viera. Barcelona, meanwhile, make a couple of changes with Martin Montoya and Alex Song handed rare starts. Right, the away side get the action underway on this warm evening in the Spanish capital.
As expected, Barcelona have taken control of the possession in the opening couple of minutes with Song and Fabregas enjoying plenty of the ball. A half-chance does arrive for Rayo as Mojica finds some space down the left, but his cross had too much power for Perea, who had found some space in the middle of the box.
CHANCE! Incredible chance for the home side to take the lead as Perea meets a cross from Saul, but his point-blank header is kept out by a wonderful save from Valdes. What an opportunity to send Rayo into the lead. It has been a bright start from the capital outfit, but they simply have to take those sort of opportunities.
CHANCE! Almost normal service resumed for the away side as Messi finds some space inside the Rayo box before rounding the goalkeeper, but Tito just manages to clear at the vital moment. Well, just six minutes in and it could be 1-1. I suspect that will not be the last of the chances on this warm evening in Madrid.
Barcelona have just started to take control of the possession in the last couple of moments as Pedro wins the first corner of the match down the left. Xavi delivers into the box, but Galvez is on hand to make the clearance. Hardly time to take a breath at the moment as both sides continue to commit players in the final third.
CHANCE! Wonderful opportunity for Neymar to hand Barcelona the lead as the Brazilian collects a loose ball inside the box before attempting to curl his effort towards the bottom corner, but Tito is on hand to make a goal-line clearance. End-to-end football, but Rayo are certainly struggling to deal with the constant movement in the away side's attack.
Song attempts to force the issue for Barcelona as he slides a low pass beyond the Rayo defence, but Ruben was quick off his line. The pressure continues as the away side pass and probe outside the box, but they have been unable to find that elusive pass thus far. Neymar again comes close to finding the top corner moments later, but Ruben manages to palm nervously clear.
Half-chance for Pique as the Barcelona centre-back meets a corner from Xavi, but it flicks off the side of his head. Rayo attempt to break down the other end with Mojica, but the attack breaks down, allowing Barcelona to take control of the possession once more. Still goalless with 15 minutes on the clock in the Spanish capital.
Barcelona are certainly in control of the possession at the moment, but the home side must be credited for what they have offered thus far. They have been nice and bright in midfield, but their eagerness to win back possession has forced the referee to award a number of free kicks to the away side. Can they keep up this intensity for the entirety of this match?
CHANCE! Messi's dancing feet create an opportunity for Neymar as the Argentine moves past three challenges before finding his fellow South American inside the box, but Neymar can only shape his low effort wide of the post. Still goalless in the Spanish capital with 20 minutes on the clock.
CHANCE! Almost an own goal for Montoya as the Barcelona right-back decides to pass back to his own goalkeeper, who was not alert. Luckily for the away side it moved just wide of the post. Good grief what an opening 22 minutes we have had in this La Liga fixture. It could be 2-2 at this stage.
The likes of Song and Fabregas are struggling to gain any real tempo at the moment with the Rayo midfield on hand to stop them playing at every opportunity. The referee has done well to not issue a booking thus far. However, the more open the match becomes, the more chances Barcelona will create. Rayo have certainly played their part in what has been an entertaining match in the Spanish capital.
The opening yellow card does arrive moments later as Trashorras fells Song outside the box. It had been coming. The resulting set piece is whipped into the box by Xavi, but Montoya's header moves wide of the post. Barcelona have been the better side, but they have been far from their best thus far, but credit must go to Rayo for that. Little under 20 minutes of the first period remaining.
Not too much to report in terms of opportunities in the last couple of moments with Rayo enjoying possession inside the Barcelona half. Bueno attempts to force the issue with a deep cross into the box, but Valdes collects. A free kick arrives for Rayo moments later, but once again Valdes is in charge of the situation.
A tangle between Neymar and Baena brings boos from the crowd as the Barcelona winger is handed a free kick. However, the away side quickly lose possession as Fabregas can only find a white shirt outside the box. Granted, we have only had 31 minutes, but this is comfortably the poorest Barcelona have played all season.
Really poor moment from Arbilla as the Rayo defender holds his face following a challenge with Neymar, but replays have shown that the Spanish defender had not been touched. The stop-start period of the match continues as the free-kick count rises with each passing minute. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining in the Spanish capital as Adriano picks up a booking.
GOAL! Rayo 0-1 Barcelona (Pedro)
Barcelona open the scoring with 33 minutes on the clock as Messi dances past two defenders before finding Pedro, who slides a low effort into the bottom corner. Stunning finish from the Spanish midfielder. It is cruel on Rayo, but that is football at this level.
CHANCE! Opportunity for Pedro to score his second of the evening as he collects a through pass from Messi before attempting to lift his effort over Ruben, but he puts it just over the crossbar. Rayo have arguably been the better side thus far, but Barcelona are just starting to find their feet in the final third.
PENALTY TO RAYO!
The home side are awarded a penalty as Adriano climbs over the back of Trashorras inside the box. Clumsy challenge from the Brazilian defender. It will be the Rayo skipper with the effort.
SAVE! Valdes saves Trashorras's penalty to keep his side in the lead. It's poor from the Rayo skipper, who could only strike his effort just off the centre of goal. Relatively comfortable save for the Barcelona stopper.
Barcelona look for a penalty of their own as Pedro tumbles inside the box, but the referee is not interested. The referee really needs to get a grip of the match at the moment as the challenges continue to arrive from both sides. Little over five minutes remaining of what has been a very entertaining first period.
Messi and Neymar continue to combine in the final third as the former finds the Brazilian inside the box, but Tito is across to make the challenge. Rayo break immediately down the other end with Viera, but the on-loan Valencia attacker is cut down by Adriano, who needs to be careful having already picked up a yellow.
Many expected Barcelona to win comfortably this evening, but it has been anything but comfortable in the first period. It would be no exaggeration to say that Rayo deserved to be leading at this stage of the match. However, you simply have to take your chances at this level, especially against the league champions.
Good spell for the home side in the latter stages of the half as they continue to whip deep balls into the box, but Barcelona have been able to clear on each occasion. The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional two minutes at the end of the first period and we are indeed into the second of those.
HALF TIME: Rayo 0-1 Barcelona
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Barcelona leading 1-0 courtesy of a fine finish from Pedro. It does not tell the whole story, however, with Rayo passing up a host of opportunities, including a penalty after Trashorras had been felled in the box by Adriano.
STATISTICS: Rayo have, incredibly, had more of the possession in the first period with 53%. Meanwhile, they have had four attempts, all of which have been on target. Barcelona have hit the target twice, including that strike from Pedro. The only surprise is that we have seen just the one goal thus far.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options on the bench in the shape of Adrian, Larrivey and Adri Embarba. Meanwhile, Barcelona have the likes of Andres Iniesta, Alexis Sanchez, Cristian Tello and Dani Alves in reserve - not a bad bench. I suspect changes will occur as the second period gathers pace.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Let's hope that the tempo replicates what we saw in the opening 45 minutes of football in the Spanish capital. One change for the home side at the interval with Nacho Martinez entering the field in place of Tito. The home side get the half underway.
Bright start to the second period from the home side as Arbilla finds some space down the right before delivering a dangerous cross into the box, but Pique manages to clear at the vital moment. You just get the feeling that Rayo need to score next if they are to have a chance of taking something from this match. Another strike for Barcelona could prove decisive.
GOAL! Rayo 0-2 Barcelona (Pedro)
Barcelona have their second in the early stages of the second half as Fabregas finds Pedro, who simply cannot miss as he fires his effort into the roof of the net from close range. Just what Martino would have wanted in the second half.
Rayo make their second change of the match early in the half as Embarba replaces Perea, who has struggled to influence proceedings this evening. Rayo need a goal and they need one quickly. However, you fear for them if they attempt to chase the match. Barcelona won 5-0 in this stadium last season.
Messi has a hint of a chance to score Barcelona's third as he finds some space inside the box, but his effort is just wide of the post. It would not have counted, however, with the linesman raising his flag. Rayo continue to play their football from the back, but Barcelona can smell blood here as they attack in waves.
Half-chance for Messi as the Argentine strikes a free kick from outside the box, but it just deflects wide of the post. The resulting corner is whipped into the area by Xavi, but Nacho Martinez is on hand to clear under pressure from Pique. It is the Barcelona supporters that are making all the noise at the moment.
Safe to say that Paco Jemez is not too happy at the moment as the Rayo boss threatens to do some damage to the bench area. His mood does not improve as Pedro drives into the box before cutting it back towards Messi, but the Argentine cannot find the bottom corner. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining in the Spanish capital.
A deep free kick into the Barcelona box causes Valdes a problem, but the Spanish goalkeeper does manage to palm clear under pressure from Bueno. The resulting corner is delivered straight under the crossbar, but Pique is on hand to clear with a towering header. Still plenty of attacking intent from the home side.
Rayo look to their bench once more as Larrivey enters the field in place of Viera, who has struggled to influence proceedings this evening. Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments, with Barcelona comfortable with their two-goal lead. One goal for the home side certainly changes the entire course of this match.
Embarba has a half-chance for the home side as he meets a deep cross from Bueno, but his header is comfortably into the arms of Valdes. Messi attempts to find the bottom corner down the other end moments later, but Ruben makes a fine save after the Argentine had danced past two defenders. Little over 25 minutes of football remaining.
Half-chance for the away side this time as Montoya finds Neymar at the far post, the Brazilian in turn sets up Adriano, but his effort is deflected over the crossbar. The resulting corner is delivered towards Neymar, but once more the home side manage to clear the danger. Comfortable for Barcelona with 66 minutes on the clock.
POST! Neymar comes within a whisker of scoring his side's third of the evening as he drives past two defenders before attempting to place one into the bottom corner, but it smashes off the post. Wonderful work from the former Santos attacker. Little over 20 minutes of football remaining in the Spanish capital.
The home supporters continue to back their side as we enter the final stages of this match. It would not be a surprise to see Martino look to his bench in the next few moments as he attempts to keep his side fresh for the weeks ahead. In truth, it is difficult to see Rayo pulling themselves back into the match at this stage of proceedings.
Half-chance for the home side as Galvez's powerful effort causes problems for Valdes, who can only palm into his own box, but Pique is on hand to clear at the vital moment. Meanwhile, it does appear that Barcelona are preparing to make their first change of the match with Mascherano struggling.
GOAL! Rayo 0-3 Barcelona (Pedro)
Barcelona have their third of the match as Neymar finds some space down the left before finding Pedro, who slides home from inside the box. That is indeed game, set and match. It could get worse for the home side with more than 15 minutes still to play.
Barcelona make their first change of the evening as Pedro is replaced by Iniesta. One World Cup winner for another, not a bad option to have on the bench that is for certain. Nice moment from the home supporters, who clap the Spaniard onto the pitch. Messi comes close to making it four moments later, but Ruben makes a fine save.
Not too much for the home supporters to get excited about in the last few moments with Barcelona utterly dominating possession of the ball. It has not been a poor performance from Rayo, far from it, but Barcelona have been stunning in the second period. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining in the Spanish capital.
GOAL! Rayo 0-4 Barcelona (Fabregas)
Barcelona have their fourth of the evening as Xavi feeds Fabregas, who curls a fine effort into the bottom corner from outside the box. Moments later Barcelona make their second change of the evening with Tello replacing the effective Neymar.
CHANCE! Another fine chance for Barcelona as Tello beats the offside trap, but instead of looking to Messi, he attempts to find the back of the net, drawing a fine save from Ruben. Jonathan dos Santos is preparing to join us for the final five minutes or so.
Decent effort from the home side as Arbilla strikes one from outside the box, but it was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. The change is indeed made moments later as Dos Santos replaces Xavi. Is there time for Barcelona to add a fifth in the latter stages?
Trashorras continues to force the issue for the home side as he finds some space outside the box before attempting to curl one towards the top corner, but it was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. Little over two minutes of normal time remaining in the Spanish capital.
A special mention must be given to the Rayo supporters this evening, who have been sensational from the very first moment. Their side is going to struggle this season, but they will be with them all the way. The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional two minutes at the end of the match and we are indeed into the first of those.
FULL TIME: Rayo 0-4 Barcelona
So there we have it. The referee brings the match to an end with Barcelona winning 4-0 in Madrid. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to remain with us for Valladolid against Atletico. Until then!
