La Liga
Nov 3, 2012 5.00pm
3
1
HT : 2 1
FT
  • Adriano 21' goal
  • David Villa 26' goal
  • Jordi Alba 61' goal
  • Marc Bartra 73' yellowcard
  • goal Mario Bermejo 24'
  • yellowcard Iago Aspas 61'
  • yellowcard Borja Oubina Melendez 72'

Live Commentary: Barcelona 3-1 Celta Vigo - as it happened

Barcelona 3-1 Celta Vigo - as it happened

Barcelona welcomed Celta Vigo to the Nou Camp on Saturday looking to make it nine wins from their first 10 matches of the La Liga season.

They got off to the best possible start after 22 minutes when Adriano converted from close range, but Mario Bermejes levelled moments later.

In a pulsating period in the match, Barcelona were back ahead within two minutes, however, as David Villa tapped home from close range.

Meanwhile, it got worse for Celta mid-way through the second period when Jordi Alba made it three.

Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole’s minute-by-minute live commentary below.

6.50pmSo there we have it. Barcelona record another three points with a 3-1 win over Celta Vigo. Thanks for joining Sports Mole and stay with us action from Madrid!
FULL-TIMEBarcelona 3-1 Celta Vigo
90 min+2We are into the second minute of three added. Barcelona have possession of the ball and they are not giving it up. It has been another routine three points.
90 min+2We are into the second minute of three added. Barcelona have possession of the ball and they are not giving it up. It has been another routine three points.
90 minNow Messi is back on. He wants to play the remaining moments of this match. That shows what type of person he is. We are just about to enter added time.
88 minMessi is back on his feet. However, he does not look too happy. He will come off for the remaining two minutes. Meanwhile, change for Celta as Toni replaces Rodriguez.
86 minReal concern here for Barcelona as Messi goes down holding his knee. He appears to have caused some serious trouble. The Argentine is not one to go down easily.
84 minBarcelona continue to pass and probe as the final five minutes approach. It is going to be nine wins from 10 La Liga matches for Barcelona. That's some start.
82 minNot a great deal happening at the moment. Both sides are exchanging possession but Barcelona are so comfortable. The match has been over since the third goal.
80 minChange for Celta as Lopez is replaced by Chu-young Park. Can the on-loan Arsenal forward inspire his team in the final 10 minutes?
78 minMeanwhile, change for Barcelona as Alexis Sanchez replaces Villa. The Spanish striker has had a very good 78 minutes of football this evening. A goal and an assist.
76 minCelta are playing the better football at the moment, but the final ball continues to elude them. It has been that kind of performance from the Spanish outfit. Meanwhile, Villa and Messi threaten on the counter.
74 minJust a reminder that we have live coverage of Real Madrid versus Real Zaragoza following this match. Be sure to stay with us for that one. Meanwhile, Aspas comes close once more with a long-range effort for Celta.
71 minHalf-chance for the away side as Lucas nips in at the far post, but Alba clears the danger. I said this was over, but a Celta goal in the next 10 minutes would make it very interesting.
69 minMeanwhile, change for Celta as Bermejo is replaced by Quique de Lucas. Little over 20 minutes of normal time to play. I am expecting more goals.
67 minCelta remain a threat on the counter attack, but they just cannot find their elusive final ball. This one is over and it appears that every single person at the game knows it.
65 minRemarkably 11 players have scored for Barcelona this season. They are sharing the goals around in the early stages of the campaign. Meanwhile, they are dominating possession at the moment.
63 minWell, that could be game over. It is difficult to see Celta coming back from this position. But we still have around 30 minutes of football to play.
61 minJust as I say that Barcelona add their third with Alba dancing into the box before rounding the goalkeeper and converting from close range.
61 minGOAL! Barcelona 3-1 Celta Vigo (Alba)
60 minStill Barcelona probe and pass in the Celta half. However, chances are at a premium at the moment. The match is in need of a spark. The next goal is just so important in the context of the match.
58 minWe are just going to keep our eye on Messi for a moment. The Argentine appears to be struggling a touch. We will keep you updated. It is not like him to pick up an injury.
56 minHalf-chance for the away side this time as Aspas strikes a low effort from outside the box, but Valdes is on hand to collect the danger. Little over 30 minutes of football to play at the Nou Camp.
54 minBarcelona continue to threaten as they force a corner down the left, but Celta clear the danger once more. Not a great deal happening in terms of chances at the moment.
52 minAgain it's smart work from the home side as Alba combines with Iniesta down the left, but Lago is on hand to clear the danger. Laboured start to the early stages of the second period.
50 minNormal service has been resumed as Barcelona take control of possession in the opposing half. Meanwhile, they force a free kick just outside the box, but Messi fires wide of the target.
48 minChance! Oh my word. Glorious chance for Celta moments into the second period as Aspas advanced on goal, but he fired it wide of the target. It just had to go in.
46 minHere we go then. Celta get us underway in the second period. The next goal will be all-important in this match. Stay with us for the remainder. Change at the break for Barca as Mark Bartra replaces Fabregas.
6pmHowever, make no mistake about it Celta are still in this match. Barcelona are vulnerable in defence and it only takes one counter attack. Let's just hope the second period brings the same excitement. We will soon be underway.
5.56pmLet's take a look at some statistics from the opening half. Barcelona dominated possession with 68%, while they have had eight shots to Celta's four.
5.52pmJust a quick side note at the break of this one. Why not tell us how we could improve the site? If you'd like to spare five minutes and give us some feedback, follow this link. No negative comments about me though! Thanks very much.
5.48pmSo there we have it. Goals from Adriano and David Villa hand Barcelona a 2-1 half-time lead over Celta Vigo. Meanwhile, the away side's tally was opened following a strike from Mario Bermejo.
HALF-TIMEBarcelona 2-1 Celta Vigo
45 minBright end to the half from Celta as they force a host of corners, but they come to nothing. Meanwhile, we will play just a singular minute of added time.
42 minDecent spell for Celta in the latter stages of the half as they control possession in the Barcelona half. However, they are finding it difficult to probe their way through the home side's defence.
40 minEarly change for Barcelona as Adriano is replaced by Dani Alves. The Brazilian appeared to be carrying a knock. Not a bad sub to have I suppose!
38 minHalf-chance for Celta this time as Aspas finds a low cross towards Lopez, but Mascherano clears the danger. This Barcelona side can be got at in defence. However, Messi breaks down the other end and just misses the target.
36 minThe match remains in a pattern of Barcelona dominating possession, but Celta breaking when they can. It has settled following that crazy period earlier in the half.
34 minIt remains all Barcelona as they pass and probe in the Celta half. Meanwhile, the home side have a penalty claim turned down as Adriano is felled by Bermejo in the box, but no decision is forthcoming.
32 minFabregas and Xavi continue to enjoy plenty of possession in the middle of the park. However, a host of offsides has just slowed the match in the past few minutes.
30 minIn fairness to Celta they are carrying a strong threat in this match. Barcelona are dominating possession as you would expect, but the away side are a real danger on the counter.
28 minWhat will happen now? Three goals in the last seven minutes. It has been some start at the Nou Camp. More of the same please in the latter stages of the half!
26 minIt is raining goals! Barcelona take the lead once more as Villa fires a low effort into the net following smart work from Iniesta.
26 minGOAL! Barcelona 2-1 Celta Vigo (Villa)
26 minI said they had to keep it tight, but they did the opposite and attacked. But then what do I know? We are level at the Nou Camp with 30 minutes approaching.
24 minOh my word! Celta level as Mario Bermejo taps home from close range following a Valdes save. Did anyone see that coming? Wow!
24 minGOAL! Barcelona 1-1 Celta Vigo (Bermejo)
23 minCelta just cannot hang on as Barcelona take the lead. It could be a long night for them this evening. It is so important that they keep it tight for the next five minutes or so. The second could well kill the game.
21 minBarcelona take the lead as Adriano converts a low cross into the corner of the net. In truth, it had been coming. The home side are on their way now.
21 minGOAL! Barcelona 1-0 Celta Vigo (Adriano)
20 minChance! Oh my word! Best chance of the match falls to the away side in the shape of Aspas, but the striker just cannot find a finish past Valdes. What a chance for Celta. He just had to score.
19 minHalf-chance for Barcelona as Adriano drives a low cross into the penalty area, but the danger is cleared. Meanwhile, Messi is denied by Varas from close range. How are the home side not ahead?
17 minIt is simply all Barcelona at the moment, but Celta continue to hang on. This time it is Iniesta who finds Fabregas in the box, but Lago makes a fine challenge to clear the danger.
15 minThe home side continue to pass and probe in the opposing half with Iniesta and Xavi enjoying possession of the ball. However, Celta do look a threat on the counter with Aspas and Bermejo. It's been an interesting start.
13 minAgain Barcelona come close as Iniesta returns the favour for Messi, but Varas just does enough to quell the danger. As it stands, the opening goal appears to be on its way very soon.
11 minChance! Best opportunity of the match for the home side as Messi finds Iniesta on the edge of the box, but his effort is just over the crossbar. Meanwhile, Valdes has his first touch of the ball 11 minutes in.
9 minStill Barcelona flood forward in numbers as Iniesta searches out Pedro with a long pass. However, the Spanish winger just cannot collect possession. Celta have not had a sniff thus far.
7 minIt's better from Celta as Aspas advances down the right before finding a dangerous cross into the box. However, Krohn-Delhi just cannot make contact and the ball drifts out of danger.
5 minAgain Barcelona attempt to find the opening goal as Villa searches for the run of Messi. However, the former's pass is just too long for his teammate. It's all one-way traffic in the early stages.
3 minEarly attack for Barcelona as Villa finds Fabregas just outside the box, but the midfielder's shot is over the target. Warning sign for the away side there.
1 minHere we go then. Barcelona get us underway and immediately take control of possession. It could be a long night for Celta.
4.59pmHandshakes? Check. Flags exchanged? Check. Full stadium? Check. Let's get this La Liga encounter underway.
4.56pmHere we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of kickoff. Let's hope for goals on this mild early evening in Spain.
4.53pmRight, we are just about five minutes from kickoff. My prediction for the match is a 4-0 home win. I just do not see a way how Celta can win this match.
4.50pmBarcelona also boast the top scorer in the league this season in their Arsenal. Lionel Messi - who else?! - has 13 goals in the league thus far. The way that he has been playing lately you would not back against him extending that tally this afternoon.
4.47pmCelta can boast recent success against Barcelona, however, with a 1-0 home victory over the Catalan club in 2004. But much has changed for both clubs since then. In truth, Celta's success this season will not depend on results against the very top teams in Spain.
4.44pmThat is in contrast to Celta who have managed just one win in their last five games in all competitions. Meanwhile, they have lost each of their five away matches this season. On paper at least, this result only appears to be heading one way.
4.41pmThe Catalan outfit have also won the last four meetings against Celta Vigo and in Cesc Fabregas they have a player very much in form. The former Arsenal man has scored five goals in his last six games and now looks the midfielder that we all know he can be.
4.38pmBarcelona have won 10 of their last 11 matches in all competitions, with their singular draw coming against Real Madrid last month. There may have been changes at the helm of the club, but some things never change. Despite the season being only nine games old, they are the red hot favourites to secure the title this season.
4.35pmTeams: Barcelona: Valdes; Alba, Busquets, Mascherano, Adriano; Iniesta, Xavi, Fabregas; Messi, Villa, Pedro Celta Vigo: Varas; Mallo, Lago, Arceo, Oubina; Vila, Lopez, Fernandez; Aspas, Bermejo, Krohn-Dehli
4.32pmHello all! We return to La Liga action this afternoon as Barcelona take on newly-promoted Celta at the Nou Camp. Can the away side pull off a shock result or will it be business as usual for the Catalan giants?
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