Barcelona welcomed Real Zaragoza to the Nou Camp on Saturday looking to make it 11 wins from their first 12 La Liga matches of the season.
They took the lead after just 16 minutes when Lionel Messi converted from close range, but Zaragoza were level eight minutes later when Montanes's effort deflected past Victor Valdes.
Barcelona regained the lead after 28 minutes, however, when Alex Song struck from inside the box and Messi added his second to wrap up the points in the second period.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary below.
Evening all! On paper it seems that the Catalans will extend their 11-match unbeaten run at the Nou Camp, but football has a funny way of throwing up surprises when you least expect it.
Teams:
Barcelona: Valdes; Montoya; Pique, Puyol, Alba; Iniesta, Xavi, Song; Villa, Pedro, Messi
Real Zaragoza: Roberto; Paredes, Alvaro, Goni; Movilla, Apono, Montanes, Zuculini, Pinter; Aranda, Rodriguez
Once more all eyes will be on Lionel Messi who needs just seven more goals to overtake Cesar Rodriguez as Barcelona’s all-time top scorer in La Liga. The Argentine is currently on 183 strikes in Spain's top division.
Zaragoza do boast recent success over Barcelona, however, with a Copa del Rey victory in the Nou Camp five years ago. Stay with us for the remainder of the action to see whether they can follow suit once more.
Here we go then. Zaragoza kick us off on this mild evening in Spain. Will the home side continue their fine start to the season or can Zaragoza upset the odds?
Confident start from the home side, as you would expect, with Xavi and Iniesta both enjoying early touches of the ball. Meanwhile, the home supporters are in good voice this evening.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Barcelona to take the lead as Alba finds Messi in the penalty area, but the Argentine fires his shot wide of the post.
It's delightful football from the home side as Messi combines with Xavi before finding the run of Villa, but Alvaro just manages to clear the danger. It could be a long night for the home side's defence.
It remains one-way traffic inside the opening seven minutes with Villa, Pedro and Messi all interchanging in attack. It is wonderful to watch. Although I am not sure that Zaragoza will agree.
Zaragoza's first real attack of the evening is cut short as Aranada is ruled offside. If they can get hold of possession then you just feel that they will create chances. But to do the second they need to do the first.
Half-chance for the home side as Alba advances down the left and finds Xavi in the box, but his strike is wide of the post. Surely the opening goal has to be coming.
Decent spell of possession for Zaragoza as Movilla and Apono both enjoy touches of the ball. However, they are struggling to find that elusive final pass at the moment.
It's accomplished defending from Alba as he calmly heads an Apono cross back to Valdes. The Spanish left-back is real star. Meanwhile, the home side continue to pass and probe in the opposing half with 15 minutes on the clock.
GOAL! Barcelona 1-0 Zaragoza (Messi)
Lionel Messi - who else - sends Barcelona into the lead as he coolly slots home from close range. It just had to be him.
In truth it had been coming. And the Argentine is probably the only player on the pitch who could have finished from that angle. It is so important that Zaragoza keep it tight for the next few minutes.
Barcelona go in search of their second as Iniesta and Alba combine down the left, but Goni is on hand to clear the danger. The home side are playing this match in second gear at the moment.
CHANCE! Glorious opportunity for the away side as Zuculini fires a low cross into the penalty area, but Aranada cannot make contact and Barcelona restart the play.
GOAL! Barcelona 1-1 Real Zaragoza (Montanes)
What do we have here? Zaragoza level the scores as Montanes - the former Barcelona youth player - strikes an effort from outside the box. It took a deflection but the midfielder will claim it.
So Barcelona concede again. All those statistics about their defensive frailties are proven right once more. However, they do not seem too concerned as Messi drives forward.
GOAL! Barcelona 2-1 Real Zaragoza (Song)
Barcelona are not behind for long as Messi finds Song on the edge of the box and the former Arsenal man strikes his effort past Roberto.
Half-chance for the away side as Carlos Aranda strikes an effort from outside the box, but it just drifts past Valdes's post. You can just sense that there are more goals in this match.
Wonderful effort from Iniesta as he beats Roberto to the ball before attempting to find the corner from an impossible angle, but his strike was just wide of the target.
Barcelona continue to play this match in second gear as they stroke possession around in midfield. You just get the feeling that the next goal could ultimately decide the match.
Zaragoza continue to struggle to find their forward players as Goni thumps a long pass towards Aranada, but Valdes is on hand to collect the danger. Not a great deal happening at the moment truth be told.
The fact Barcelona have had 70% of the possession in this first period tells you everything you need to know about how the match has gone. However, that Montanes goal has given Zaragoza hope.
Pass, pass, pass from Barcelona as Iniesta, Messi and Xavi all combine in midfield. However, it's good defending from Alvaro as he clears the danger.
The home side continue to enjoy possession in the latter stages of the half. Although a couple of late counter attacks from Zaragoza threatens to unease the home side.
Barcelona 2-1 Real Zaragoza
So there we have it. Goals from Lionel Messi and Alex Song hand Barcelona a 2-1 lead over Zaragoza at the interval. However, Montanes has given the away side some hope.
Let's take a look at some statistics from the opening half of football. Barcelona have dominated possession with 69% and they have had five attempts to Zaragoza's four.
As it stands Barcelona would move six points clear of Athletic Bilbao at the top of the Spanish league. Meanwhile, Zaragoza would remain in 11th spot.
Just a reminder that we have commentary from Madrid following this match as Real Madrid welcome Athletic Bilbao. Be sure to stay with us for that one. Kickoff is at 9pm.
Here we go then. Barcelona get us underway in the second period. Will it be business as usual or can Zaragoza force an unlikely result?
Barcelona start the second half as they ended the first. In total control. You just get the feeling that a third goal would kill this one off.
Half-chance for the away side as Zuculini collects a long pass from Montanes before firing towards goal, but his effort is just wide of the post. Despite Barcelona's possession, Zaragoza are a threat on the counter.
First real spell of attacking possession for Barcelona in the second period as Xavi attempts to find the run of Villa, but the ball is just too long for the striker. The home side remain firmly in second gear.
It just isn't quite coming together for the home side at the moment as Iniesta's pass to Messi is cut out by Movilla. Meanwhile, Zaragoza have stepped up their game since the break.
Zaragoza are certainly shading the possession at the moment with Apono and Montanes controlling the ball. However, Rodriguez and Aranda have been starved of real service thus far.
Zaragoza are preparing their first change of the evening as Zuculini is replaced by Lucas Wilchez. We have little over 30 minutes of football remaining and as it stands Barcelona are heading for their 11th win in their first 12 league games.
There is a strange atmosphere inside the Nou Camp this evening. It is almost as if the home supporters are just waiting for the match to be won.
GOAL! Barcelona 3-1 Real Zaragoza (Messi)
What was I saying? The home supporters are waiting for the match to be won? It may well have just happened as Messi smashes his second into the bottom corner from outside the box.
Meanwhile, change for the home side as Tello replaces Villa. You just get the feeling that the third goal has decided this match. It will take something special from Zaragoza to come back now.
Pass, pass, pass from Barcelona. That could well be the last 25 minutes of this match. Puyol and Pique have brought a calm to the home side's defence that is for certain.
In fairness to the away side they are attempting to push forward at every opportunity, but Barcelona are picking them off on the counter. It is a shame for the neutral because this match is over.
Half-chance for Barcelona to extend their lead as Tello drives into the penalty area, but he is crowded out at the vital moment and Zaragoza launch an attack of their own.
In many ways this performance has summed up Barcelona's season. They just haven't needed to hit top gear. And the fact that they have won 10 of their opening 11 games is scary.
Change for the away side as Postiga replaces Victor. Can the Portugal striker inspire his team in the remaining 15 minutes or so? He comes into the action as Zaragoza have a corner cleared by Puyol.
Barcelona also make a change as Puyol is replaced by Marc Bartra. The Spanish defender has been wonderful this evening. He is back.
Decent football from Zaragoza as Postiga combines with Montanes, but it breaks down at the vital moment. Meanwhile, Barcelona make another change as Cesc Fabregas replaces Pedro. Not a bad sub to bring on I suppose!
CHANCE! So nearly number four for the home side as Iniesta strikes a powerful effort from outside the box, but it smashes off the crossbar. That would have been special.
Barcelona continue to play their football with Messi going in search of his third, but his effort is tame and past the post. Little under 10 minutes of the match remaining.
Half-chance for the home side to add their fourth once more as Tello finds Iniesta in the box. The Spaniard is felled by the away side's goalkeeper, but the referee waves play on.
It's good feet from Postiga as he evades the challenge of Montoya before advancing into the Barcelona box, but Pique clears the danger. Zaragoza can hold their heads high despite the defeat.
Zaragoza continue to threaten in the latter stages with Montanes and Apono both enjoying touches of the ball. But the match is gone and they know it. Little under two minutes of normal time remaining.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional two minutes of time. Zaragoza will end the match having enjoyed the best of the ball in the remaining moments.
The home supporters begin to empty the stadium as Barcelona edge their way to yet another three points. And they have not been out of second gear all evening.
Barcelona 3-1 Real Zaragoza
So there we have it. Lionel Messi is among the goals once more as Barcelona make it 11 wins from their opening 12 league games. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and stay with us for action from Madrid.
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
