Saturday's early start in La Liga pitted Barcelona against Cordoba at the Camp Nou.
The home side led 1-0 at the interval courtesy of an early strike from Pedro.
Luis Suarez netted his first league goal for Barca to make it 2-0 after 53 minutes, before Gerard Pique added to the scoring after 80 minutes.
There was also time for Lionel Messi to get in on the act, with the Argentine adding a brace late on.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Camp Nou as title-chasers Barcelona welcome relegation-threatened Cordoba. Right, before we get down to the details ahead of the match, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news.
TEAMS
BARCA: Bravo; Montoya, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta; Pedro, Messi, Suarez
CORDOBA: Carlos; Campabadal, Lopez, Pantic, Crespo; Deivid, Ekeng, Luso, Fede, Garcia; Ghilas
So there we have it. Pedro keeps his spot in the Barcelona XI after scoring a hat-trick against Huesca in the Copa del Rey. As a result, Neymar starts on the bench. There is also a spot in the XI for Martin Montoya – aiding suggestions that the defender could now remain at the Camp Nou. Ivan Rakitic, meanwhile, is preferred in central midfield to Xavi.
Cordoba will seemingly line up in a 4-5-1 formation this afternoon. On-loan Porto striker Nabil Ghilas leads the line, while on-loan Valencia attacker Fede Cartabia is also included. In total, the visitors have five loan players in their XI, with Aleksander Pantic, Jose Crespo and Borja Garcia also in the team.
The last time these two sides met was in a Copa del Rey last-16 clash in January 2013 – when Barcelona ran out 5-0 winners at the Camp Nou. The reverse match also ended in a Barca win, with the Catalan outfit advancing into the quarter-finals of the competition with an aggregate score of 7-0.
Barca enter this match off the back of a thumping 8-1 win over Huesca in the second leg of their Copa del Rey last-32 clash on Tuesday, with Luis Enrique's side advancing 12-1 on aggregate. Last time out in the league, however, the Catalan outfit were held to a 0-0 draw at Getafe.
The dropped points against Getafe has left Barca trailing league leaders Real Madrid by four points after 15 matches, but victory this afternoon would close the gap to one point, with Los Blancos in Morocco for the Club World Cup final. Barca's home record in the league this season has been strong, with their only dropped points in seven matches occurring in a 1-0 defeat to Celta Vigo.
Cordoba, meanwhile, currently sit 18th in the table on 11 points. They have still not won a league match at home this season, but picked up their first victory in the league against Athletic Bilbao on December 6. Last time out, the newly-promoted outfit were held to a goalless draw at home to Levante.
Cordoba's away form in the league this season has actually been fairly solid in relation to other teams near the bottom. They have lost just three of their seven league games on the road, but drawing games has been their problem thus far, with eight of their 15 matches ending in a share of the spoils.
PREDICTION! In truth, it is a really big ask for Cordoba this afternoon. Barcelona are still not at their best at the moment, but have such quality in the final third. I am finding it difficult to predict anything other than a comfortable home win. My score prediction is 3-0 Barca.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. Can Cordoba shock Barca at the Camp Nou? It is the home side that get the first 45 minutes underway in Barcelona.
As expected, it has not taken long for the home side to take control of the possession. Cordoba will have to spend long periods without the ball here. You just get the feeling that the visitors need to ride out the opening 10 or 15 minutes without conceding - easier said than done though!
GOAL! Barcelona 1-0 Cordoba (Pedro)
Well that did not take long! Barca have the lead after two minutes as Pedro collects a beautiful pass from Rakitic before finishing into the top corner. Cordoba are already behind here.
Not too much from Cordoba in the opening five minutes, with that early goal certainly shocking the visitors. Barca are in total control at the moment as they continue to pass and probe in the final third. Although it is early, another goal for the hosts could already end this as a contest.
Pass, pass, pass from Barcelona as they continue to dominate the early moments here. Alba attempts to deliver a dangerous cross towards the far post, but Lopez is on hand to make the clearance.
Half-chance for the home side as Iniesta strikes one from just inside the box, but his effort was always straight into the body of the goalkeeper. Cordoba just need a period of possession here.
Just a reminder that three points for Barcelona would move them one point behind the league leaders Real Madrid, who are currently in Morocco for the Club World Cup. Still not too much from Cordoba, who have retreated into a defensive shape. It is difficult to see anything other than a home win here.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Barca to score their second as Alba finds Suarez with a near-post cross, but the striker's effort is just wide of the post. It should really be 2-0 Barca.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the case few minutes due to a couple of late challenges, but there has not yet been a yellow card. Cordoba break down the right with Fede, but the on-loan Valencia midfielder cannot find a teammate inside the box and the danger is cleared.
Barcelona continue to pass and probe as Iniesta slides a through ball towards Messi, but Crespo is on hand to make the challenge. It is almost like a training match as the hosts continue to dominate the ball.
Fede takes matters into his own hands for the away side after finding some space outside the box, but his effort was always rising high and wide of the crossbar. Barcelona are down the other end moments later, but Iniesta cannot find Suarez with a low pass and the danger is cleared by Luso.
CHANCE! Cordoba's best chance of the match falls to Ghilas, who drives past two defenders before advancing into the box, but his low effort smashes the side netting. Close!
Barca continue to threaten as Rakitic floats a pass towards the head of Montoya, but the right-back just cannot collect and the ball goes out for a goal-kick. Cordoba are down the other end with Ghilas moments later, but this time the on-loan Porto striker cannot run away from the challenge of Pique.
Rakitic has a long-range attempt for the hosts, but his effort just clears the crossbar.
Half-chance for Messi this time as the Argentine finds some space on the edge of the box before dancing past two challenges, but the forward cannot scape Luso and the danger is cleared. Cordoba take a quick free kick down the other end moments later, but Pique cuts out a pass from Ekeng.
PENALTY SHOUT! Barca want a penalty as Montoya goes down under a challenge from Crespo, but the referee is not interested. It was a clumsy challenge from the left-back it must be said.
Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining and Barcelona still lead 1-0 courtesy of that early strike from Pedro. Since then, Cordoba have tightened in the defensive third of the field.
Fede has been arguably Cordoba's brightest player this afternoon and the Argentine's quick feet has gained his side a couple of free kicks in the Barcelona half. The hosts continue to look the side most likely to add to the scoring, however, as the possession statistics continue to build up for Barcelona.
A lofted pass towards Ghilas threatens to unnerve the Barcelona defence, but Bravo takes charge of the situation and the danger is cleared. Suarez is down the other end moments later, but his low cross is cut out at the near post. Still 1-0 with little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining.
Iniesta continues to threaten for Barca as the midfielder collects a lofted pass from Messi before finding Rakitic, but the Croatian's effort is blocked on the edge of the box. Cordoba remain a threat on the counter attack, but the home side have the look of a team that want a second before the break.
CHANCE! Pedro comes close to scoring his second of the match for the home side, but his low effort from outside the box moves just wide of the post. Very close from the Spaniard.
Suarez attempts to take matters into his own hands after turning on the edge of the Cordoba box, but the striker cannot run away from a second challenge. Cordoba regain the ball moments later before breaking with Ghilas, but eventually Fede flashes an effort straight into the side netting.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, but Cordoba have had some bright moments, with a free kick from Borja Garcia causing concern inside the Barcelona box. Despite conceding early, Cordoba can be pretty pleased with their overall performance in the first period here.
CHANCE! Alba comes close to scoring number two for the home side after dancing into the Cordoba box, but he cannot squeeze his low effort past the diving Carlos.
CHANCE! Glorious chance for Pique this time as a deflected Pedro cross falls for the centre-back inside the box, but somehow he heads over the crossbar.
HALF-TIME: Barcelona 1-0 Cordoba
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Barcelona leading 1-0 courtesy of a second-minute strike from Pedro. The home side have been in control for long spells, but Cordoba have had their moments on the counter attack and can be content with their first-half performance.
STATS! Barca have dominated the possession with 74%, while they have had six attempts - two of which have been on target. Cordoba, meanwhile, have hit the target with just one of their four attempts. There has not been a single booking despite a couple of late challenges.
BENCH WATCH! The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench this afternoon in the shape of Munir, Neymar, Rafinha and Xavi. Meanwhile, Cordoba have the likes of Fidel, Lopez and Abel in reserve. Will either manager make a change at the interval?
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the field for the second 45 minutes. You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there is one - could be crucial. Cordoba get the action underway.
No changes from either manager at the break, which is not much of a surprise. However, I suspect that alterations will occur if the score remains 1-0 for the next 20 minutes or so.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the early stages of the second period, but Barcelona are in control of the possession. You just get the feeling that Cordoba need to score the next goal if they are to take something from the match. They really cannot afford to fall two goals behind.
Half-chance for Messi as the Argentine finds some space inside the Cordoba box, but his effort is blocked by Pantic. Cordoba are down the other end moments later, but Pique challenges Ghilas.
There is no real pace to the match at the moment, with Barca comfortable in possession of the ball. Cordoba will be more than happy to allow the home side possession outside the box, but the visitors have defended their own box very well thus far. Still 1-0 Barca with 52 minutes on the clock.
GOAL! Barcelona 2-0 Cordoba (Suarez)
Suarez is finally off the mark in the league for Barcelona as the striker collects a cross from Pedro before finishing from close range. It was coming and that will be the first of many La Liga goals!
Barcelona are threatening to run riot here as the Catalan outfit continue to commit players in the final third of the field. Cordoba are just running out of ideas each time they gain possession and the pressure is coming straight back. Still more than 30 minutes of this La Liga contest remaining.
Half-chance for Rakitic as the Croatian thumps one from the edge of the box, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Suddenly the tempo has been raised by the home side.
Still no movement on either bench, but we are entering the stage where both managers will be considering changes - for very different reasons. Can Cordoba find a way to get back into this match?
SUB! Cordoba make their first change as Lopez is replaced by Pinillos.
Ghilas appears to have a problem for the away side after taking a late challenge from Mascherano, but the referee does not issue a card - it was not a pretty tackle! The resulting free kick is played short, however, and the danger is cleared. Little over 25 minutes of this league contest remaining.
SUB! Barca make their first change as Xavi replaces Rakitic.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, but the home side remain in control of the possession. You just get the feeling that there are still more goals in this La Liga match.
BOOKING! Busquets (Barca) is booked for a late challenge on Fede.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of minutes, with both sides guilty of a number of late challenges. The latest foul from Pique hands Cordoba a set piece outside the box, but Garcia cannot take advantage and the danger is cleared. It remains 2-0 Barcelona with 69 minutes played.
Fede returns to his feet following another heavy challenge, which has become a pattern in the last few minutes. Cordoba, however, have been unable to make use of their free kicks thus far.
SUB! Cordoba make their second change as Rossi replaces Luso.
Possession football from Barcelona as the home side continue to dominate the ball in the final third of the field. The only thing missing for the hosts is a goal for Messi, who has not been at his best here.
Alba is almost playing as a left-winger at the moment as the defender continues to cause Cordoba problems, but the away side's centre-backs have been fairly strong this afternoon.
SUB! Cordoba make their third change as Silva replaces Garcia.
SUB! Barca make their second change as Rafinha replaces Iniesta.
Ghilas remains the main threat for the away side as the on-loan Porto attacker gains another corner, but the resulting set piece is headed clear by Pique. The home side are down the other end with Pedro moments later, but this time the Spaniard cannot find the run of Suarez.
GOAL! Barcelona 3-0 Cordoba (Pique)
Barca have their third of the match as Pique heads a Xavi free kick into the top corner.
Little over five minutes of normal time remaining and Barcelona are not finished here as they continue to force the issue in the final third. Suarez combines with Messi outside the box before sliding a pass into Xavi, but Pantic is across to make the challenge.
GOAL! Barcelona 4-0 Cordoba (Messi)
Barcelona have their fourth as Messi curls one into the top corner after another corner from the hosts. It is tough on Cordoba, who have been solid for long spells of this match.
Not too much to report since Barca scored their fourth, with Cordoba not too keen on breaking forward, which is not much of a surprise. They will not want to concede a fifth or indeed sixth here.
Just a reminder that this win for Barcelona will take them to within one point of the leaders Real Madrid, albeit having played one game more. The home side continue to break forward with Messi, but Cordoba have all 10 outfield players behind the ball as the 90-minute mark fast approaches.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional two minutes as Fede fires just wide of the post for Cordoba. The Argentine has looked the player most likely for the visitors here.
GOAL! Barcelona 5-0 Cordoba (Messi)
Messi has his second and Barcelona have five as the Argentine flashes one into the bottom corner after showing incredible skill to trap the ball.
FULL-TIME: Barcelona 5-0 Cordoba
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Barcelona running out 5-0 winners. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Until next time!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
