Barcelona equalled Real Sociedad's 38-game unbeaten La Liga record courtesy of a 3-1 win over Leganes at Camp Nou on Saturday night.
Sociedad set the record almost 40 years ago, but Barcelona will have the chance to move out on their own when they host Valencia next weekend.
The victory over Leganes, which was earned courtesy of a Lionel Messi hat trick, has moved Ernesto Valverde's side 12 points clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid, who will travel to the champions Real Madrid on Sunday afternoon.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live coverage of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from Camp Nou as Barcelona welcome Leganes. The home side will be looking to stretch their lead over second-placed Atletico Madrid to 12 points, but they might well be in for a tough match against a Leganes side that have no relegation worries approaching their final eight games of the campaign. Stay tuned for the action!
Right, as time is very much of the essence, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news for this match. Barcelona were in Champions League action on Wednesday night – recording a 4-1 win over Italian side Roma in the first leg of their quarter-final. Leganes, however, have not been in action since losing at home to Valencia last weekend. Let's run through the two XIs for this match...
TEAMS!
BARCELONA: Ter Stegen; Roberto, Pique, Vermaelen, Semedo; Coutinho, Rakitic, Gomes; Messi, Suarez, Dembele
LEGANES: Cuellar; Zaldua, Bustinza, Siovas, Garcia; Perez, Gabriel; Ramos, Eraso, El Zhar; Amrabat
Lionel Messi is in the Barcelona XI despite concerns over the Argentine's fitness. Messi is joined by Ousmane Dembele and Luis Suarez in the final third of the field, while there are also starts for Thomas Vermaelen and Andre Gomes as Ernesto Valverde shuffles his pack following the Champions League clash with Roma. It is a still a very strong XI, however, and one that should be too strong for Leganes.
As for Leganes, it appears that Nordin Amrabat will lead the line in what is a 4-2-3-1 formation. Claudio Beauvue is only on the bench for the visitors, with Nabil El Zhar, Javier Eraso and Omar Ramos also selected in attacking positions. The excellent Gabriel will again captain Leganes in this match.
So there we have it. The two teams are in, and kickoff is now just moments away. Barcelona came from two goals behind to draw 2-2 at Sevilla in the league last weekend, with that result maintaining their unbeaten La Liga campaign. Valverde's side are nine points clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid, who take on third-placed Real Madrid tomorrow afternoon. Barcelona are very, very comfortable in the league.
© Offside
As for Leganes, a total of 36 points from 30 matches has left them in 14th position in the table. They are 13 points clear of the relegation zone, and have won two of their last four in the league – including a 2-1 victory over Sevilla in the middle of March. Tonight is a free hit for a Leganes side that have impressed many with their form throughout the campaign. Kickoff at Camp Nou is next!
KICKOFF! Leganes get things underway at Camp Nou...
... it has been a bright start from Barcelona, with Luis Suarez already having the chance to collect a pass from Messi inside the Leganes box, but the striker is squeezed out at the final moment.
Possession football for Barcelona as they pass and probe in the final third of the field. Coutinho has been bright in the early moments as the Brazil international floats into a central position.
Not too much for the Leganes supporters to get excited about in the first six minutes, but the visitors have used the ball well in the last couple of minutes. Gabriel in midfield is a class act for Leganes.
Half-chance for Barcelona as Coutinho drives into the Leganes box, but Bustinza comes across to make a smart challenge. Coutinho could do with a goal tonight after an indifferent start to life in Spain.
Again it is good work from Barcelona as Dembele combines with Messi in the final third, but the former just cannot release Suarez, and the visitors ultimately win a free kick in their own box.
It is a very open game at the moment as both teams continue to commit players in the final third of the field. Leganes fancy their chances of causing some problems tonight, and why not? The visitors are not going to be relegated this season, and have famously caused Real Madrid some issues this season.
CHANCE! Pique has a free header inside the Leganes box, but he heads over.
Messi is almost playing in central midfield at the moment as he stays deep to use the ball.
SAVE! Cuellar is down to keep out a strike from Coutinho.
There is no question that Barcelona have been the more inventive side in the first 19 minutes, but Leganes have had their moments on the break. That said, Amrabat is pretty isolated up there.
CLOSE! Almost a wonderful goal from Suarez as the Uruguay international pokes a high ball towards the bottom corner, but his effort is just wide. Brilliant strength from the centre-forward.
SAVE! Incredible save from Cuellar as the Leganes goalkeeper keeps out a close-range Luis Suarez effort. The former Liverpool striker looked certain to make the breakthrough there!
Barcelona have a free kick in a very dangerous area as Luis Suarez is felled by Siovas...
... Messi fires his free kick straight into the wall.
Amrabat chases a through ball from Eraso as Leganes break the lines, but the striker was in an offside position, and he actually lost the race to Ter Stegen. Still goalless with 24 minutes on the clock here.
Leganes manage to clear their lines following another period of pressure, but Amrabat is the lone ranger in the final third, and the number seven is finding it very difficult up there it must be said.
Siovas is fortunate to escape a yellow card for a poor challenge on Messi in a dangerous area...
... GOAL! Barcelona 1-0 Leganes (Messi)
Messi finds the corner of the net with a super free kick. Another free kick from the Argentine!
You sense that this could be a long night for Leganes, especially if Barcelona were to score a second in the next few minutes. Messi was subdued against Roma on Wednesday night, but the Argentine looks back to his best in this match. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining here.
Amrabat does well to hold the ball in the final third before shifting it wide and meeting a cross from Ramos, but the attacker's header was always moving wide of the post. It is tough for Amrabat here.
GOAL! Barcelona 2-0 Leganes (Messi)
Two for Barcelona and two for Messi! The Argentine doubles his tally for the night as he collects a super pass from Coutinho before sliding the ball into the back of the net. Super finish once again.
Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining, and it is already a damage limitation exercise for Leganes, who have been undone by the absolute genius of Messi, who looks in the mood.
Barcelona again work a shooting chance and again Messi is involved, but Luis Suarez had moved into an offside position. On this occasion, it was another really smart save from the Leganes goalkeeper.
Leganes are camped outside their own penalty box at the moment as they look to resist the pressure, but Barcelona are just relentlessly moving the ball with pace and purpose in the final third.
Amrabat continues to work his socks off in the final third, but the Leganes forward simply cannot do it all alone. Barcelona again regain the ball before driving forward, but Zaldua challenges Coutinho.
Leganes have the chance to deliver a free kick into the Barcelona box, but Pique is up above everyone else to make the clearance. Not too much time left to play in the first 45 minutes of action here.
Just the one additional minute to be played at the end of the first period.
HALF-TIME: Barcelona 2-0 Leganes
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Barcelona leading 2-0 courtesy of a double from Messi. The Argentine opened the scoring with a wonderful free kick in the 27th minute, before netting from inside the box five minutes later. Comfortable half for the home side here.
STATISTICS! Barcelona dominated the first-half possession with 70%, while they had eight attempts - four of which were on target. Leganes, meanwhile, failed to hit the target with any of their five attempts. No yellow cards to report in the first half. To be honest, it has not been that type of match.
BENCH WATCH! Leganes boss Garitano does have a number of attacking options on his bench tonight, with the likes of Beauvue, Guerrero and Munoz all capable of making a difference in the second period. Barcelona, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Paulinho, Iniesta and Alcacer.
RESTART! Barcelona resume the action here...
... LEGANES SUB! Beauvue replaces Amrabat for the away side.
Not too much to report in the early stages of the second period, and there is a chance that this match could drift as Barcelona take their foot off the gas. Hopefully that is not the case though.
Half-chance for Leganes as Beauvue meets a cross from Zaldua, but his header is too high.
BOOKING! Siovas (Leganes) is booked for a poor challenge on Messi.
Just a reminder that Barcelona will travel to Roma next week for the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final. The Catalan outfit have a 4-1 advantage from the first leg at Camp Nou.
We have not seen an awful lot from Dembele in this match, and the winger has just been squeezed out once again in a wide position. The Frenchman has found it difficult to settle at Barcelona since his big-money move last summer, but there is no question that he has an incredible amount of talent.
BOOKING! Zaldua (Leganes) is booked for a tug on Coutinho.
We are entering the stage of the match were both managers will be thinking about changes. Valverde might well want to rest Luis Suarez and potentially Pique ahead of the clash in Rome next week.
Semedo collects a pass from Messi before racing clear, but the right-back cannot squeeze a cross into the box as Bustinza does well to make the block. Still 2-0 to Barcelona at Camp Nou.
Pique has just hooked over from close range, but the offside flag was raised!
LEGANES SUB! Brasanac replaces Eraso for the away side.
It would certainly be interesting if Leganes managed to get one back in the next 10 minutes or so, but that does not really look like happening at the moment. Barcelona are very comfortable here.
The game is drifting at the moment, and that is not too much of a surprise to be honest.
Half-chance for the away side as El Zhar meets a deep cross inside the Barcelona box, but his header was always moving wide of the post. Still no movement on the home side's bench at the moment.
Little over 20 minutes of football remaining, and to be honest, not much has happened in the second period. Leganes have actually had the better moments in the final third of the field.
GOAL! Barcelona 2-1 Leganes (El Zhar)
Now then! Leganes have one back in the 68th minute as El Zhar finds some space on the edge of the Barcelona box before finding the bottom cornet with a good finish! Game on in Catalonia!
Barcelona have certainly upped the tempo since conceding, and Cuellar has just done well to close down Messi, who had looked to lift the ball over the Leganes goalkeeper from distance.
BARCELONA SUB! Alba replaces Roberto for the home side.
BOOKING! Perez (Leganes) is booked for a foul on Messi.
Still more than 10 minutes of football to play tonight, and Leganes will fancy their chances of creating at least one more chance in the latter stages. Barcelona have been off-colour in the second period.
LEGANES SUB! Guerrero replaces Perez for the away side.
BOOKING! Zaldua (Leganes) is booked for a poor challenge on Alba.
Dembele has just been completely taken out in a wide position, but the referee was not interested. Dembele has not had much go his way in tonight's match there is no question about that.
CHANCE! Super chance for Barcelona to score a third as the striker meets a cross from Dembele, but he can only lift the ball over the crossbar from close range.
BARCELONA SUB! Iniesta replaces Coutinho for the home side.
Half-chance for the visitors as Beauvue misses the crossbar from just outside the Barcelona box.
BOOKING! Alba (Barcelona) is booked for a foul on Zaldua.
Little under five minutes of football remaining, and Leganes are still pressing for a leveller here.
GOAL! Barcelona 3-1 Leganes (Messi, hat-trick)
Messi completes his hat-trick in the 87th minute of this match as the Argentine gathers a pass from Dembele before finishing from close range. This man is just absolutely incredible!
BARCELONA SUB! Denis Suarez replaces Dembele for the home side.
We will play three additional minutes at the end of the 90 here.
Leganes have given a good account of themselves in this match, there is absolutely no question about that. Messi, however, has just been an absolute genius once again. The Argentine is just too good.
FULL-TIME: Barcelona 3-1 Leganes
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with La Liga leaders Barcelona running out 3-1 winners over a spirited Leganes at Camp Nou. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again. See you soon!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
