Barcelona travelled to high-flyers Levante on Sunday looking to move 11 points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the table.
The Catalan outfit dominated the opening half, but it took until the 47th minute for Lionel Messi to open the scoring. Meanwhile, the Argentine added his second of the match five minutes later.
A third followed moments later when Andres Iniesta thumped an effort in off the crossbar, while Cesc Fabregas got in on the act after 63 minutes.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by minute live commentary below.
Evening all! Our penultimate La Liga clash of week 12 is upon us as two of the in-form sides meet in the league. Levante have suffered just one defeat in their last five games in all competitions, a record that is matched by Barcelona.
Levante have struggled in the recent meetings between the two sides, however, picking up just a singular point from their last five games against the Catalan outfit. But they are enjoying a golden period in terms of their recent history.
Teams:
Levante: Munua; Lell, Navarro, Juanfran, Ballesteros; Diop, Juanlu, Iborra, Barkero; Martins, El Zhar
Barcelona: Valdes; Alves, Puyol, Alba; Fabregas, Xavi, Busquets; Iniesta, Messi, Pedro
Once more all eyes will be on Barcelona attacker Lionel Messi as the Argentine continues to chase down Gerd Muller's record of 87 goals in a calendar year. Messi currently has 82 to his name, just five short of the record. It seems that only an injury can prevent him from surpassing the number.
Here we go then. Handshakes? Check. Flags exchanged? Check. Passionate crowd? Check. Let's get this La Liga clash underway.
Levante get us underway on this mild evening in Valencia. Can Barcelona extend their lead over Real Madrid to 11 points? Or will Levante move back into fourth spot? Stay with us as the evening unfolds.
Barcelona immediately take control of the possession as you would expect. An early half-chance for the Catalan outfit as Pedro combines with Alves on the right, but Munua was out to gather the danger.
Levante are really struggling to put together a series of passes at the moment with Barcelona probing outside their penalty area. Fabregas searches out the run of Iniesta, but once more Munua comes to collect.
First real attack from the home side as Martins picks up possession before driving into the Barcelona half, but he is chopped down by Busquets. But the resulting free kick is poor and straight at Valdes.
Half-chance for the home side as Barkero picks out the searching run of Martins, but the former Newcastle United striker just cannot collect as Carlos Puyol makes the challenge. However, the home side are now threatening to upset Barcelona.
Barcelona continue to pass and probe as this half gathers pace. But we have not seen much from a certain Messi thus far with the home side defending with a high line. I suspect I will be mentioning the little Argentine at some point this evening, however.
CHANCE! Clearest opening of the match comes to the home side as Barkero strikes an effort from outside the box, but Valdes tips it over the crossbar. The home side are a real threat at the moment.
Early change for Barcelona as Martin Montoya replaces Alves. The Brazilian is struggling with an injury. However, the 21-year-old is a very capable replacement and will slot into right back.
Here's a statistic for you: All 11 of the Barcelona players on display this evening came through the club's youth academy. That is just incredible. Meanwhile, they continue to dominate possession in midfield.
Levante are defending superbly in the early stages of this match. Barcelona continue to dominate the ball as expected, but we have seen nothing from Pedro or Messi thus far. They are holding a deep line at the moment.
First real sign of Messi as the little Argentine combines with Iniesta inside the Deportivo penalty area, but David Navarro was on hand to clear the danger. It was delicious football from the Catalan outfit. Meanwhile, Levante remain a threat on the counter.
CHANCE! Messi comes close to the opening goal as he collects possession outside the box before striking at goal, but his effort is just wide of the post. But the pressure remains as Barcelona up their tempo.
Barcelona continue to pass and probe outside the Levante penalty area, but the home side continue to rob possession before launching an attack of their own. Both sides are a threat at the moment.
Another half-chance for the away side as Iniesta searches out the run of Pedro, but the offside flag is raised. There isn't a great deal happening in terms of chances as we approach the 30-minute mark.
Who is this number 10 for Barcelona and what have you done with Messi? The Argentine has lost possession twice in the past minute. About as much as he has done all season! The crowd are just waiting for something to happen at the moment.
CHANCE! Barcelona create another opening as Messi finds Xavi in the penalty area, but the midfielder's volley is straight at Munua. Meanwhile, Levante remain a threat on the counter.
Half-chance for Levante as Juanlu whips a dangerous cross into the penalty area, but Bakero can only volley over the crossbar. Meanwhile, Martins' pace continues to cause Barcelona problems.
Again it's impressive defending from Levante as Lell comes out wide to thwart the run of Alba. The corner is taken short by Barcelona, but they are forced back into their own half. Much better from the home side.
Another half-chance for Barcelona as Juanfran fells Pedro out wide. The free kick is whipped in by Messi, but Pique's header is straight at the goalkeeper.
CHANCE! Best opportunity of the match for the home side as Juanlu attempts to find Martins in the penalty area, but the striker just cannot make the connection that would have brought a certain goal.
End-to-end football at the moment with both sides threatening to take the lead, but the final pass has eluded both sides thus far as Levante scramble the ball away for another corner.
Half-chance from the resulting corner as Pique meets the cross from Xavi, but his header is just wide of the target. Barcelona certainly have had chances in this half.
Another chance comes the way of Barcelona as Iniesta drives a low cross into the penalty area, but David Navarro makes the clearance. The home side have nine men behind the ball at the moment.
Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play one minute of added time at the end of the half.
Levante 0-0 Barcelona
So there we have it. An entertaining half of football is brought to an end with Levante and Barcelona level at 0-0. The away side have dominated possession, but chances have been at a premium.
Let's take a look at some statistics from the opening half of football. Barcelona have dominated the possession with an incredible 80% of the ball. But they have had just five shots to Levante's six.
Just a reminder that three points for Levante this evening would move them into fourth spot in the table. Meanwhile, victory for Barcelona would open up an 11-point lead over current La Liga champions Real Madrid.
Just a reminder to look out for our 'Team of the Week' this evening following another pulsating weekend in La Liga. Week 13 is completed when Real Zaragoza welcome Celta Vigo tomorrow.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of the second period. I am still backing a Barcelona win this evening. Surely they will turn their possession into chances in the second 45.
Barcelona kick us off in the second period. Levante just need their supporters to get behind them in the early stages of the half.
GOAL! Levante 0-1 Barcelona (Messi)
Messi makes it goal number 25 for the season as he pounces on a pass from Iniesta before lifting the ball over Munua.
The little Argentine hardly featured in the opening period, but the Levante defence went to sleep and Messi punished them. That is the breakthrough and now Levante have to come out and play.
Immediate chance for Levante to get back into the match as Barkero strikes an effort from distance, but it just fizzled past the post. Suddenly the home side are flooding forward in numbers.
GOAL! Levante 0-2 Barcelona (Messi)
Just like that Messi has his second as Iniesta finds the Argentine in the penalty area and he fires his effort past the goalkeeper. Just brilliant.
That is football of the highest order from those two players. Levante have just collapsed in the early stages of the second period. They could be on their way to a real hiding here.
Messi has now scored twice in his last four matches. What more is there to say about that? There is still over 30 minutes remaining and you would not bet against him getting a third. The Levante players have been shocked here.
GOAL! Levante 0-3 Barcelona (Iniesta)
It is an absolute joy to watch as Iniesta thumps an effort past Munua from outside the box. What a second period he has had.
Levante have just had no answer in this second period. Barcelona have turned it on and they are without question the best side in the world. This really could get nasty for the home side.
First change of the match for Levante as Pedro Rios replaces El Zhar. It has been a difficult evening for the former Liverpool winger. Little over 30 minutes remaining and Barcelona are in total control.
GOAL! Levante 0-4 Barcelona (Fabregas)
Fabregas scores his fourth goal of the season as Iniesta finds the Spaniard and he rounds Munua before converting from close range.
Absolutely incredible. Levante were comfortable in the opening half of football but they have simply been torn apart since the break. How good is this side?!
Half-chance for Levante as Martins races onto a loose pass, but Valdes got down low to deny the striker. Meanwhile, Messi collects possession and restarts another Barcelona attack.
Another change for the home side as Martins is replaced by Angel Rodriguez. The striker has run his heart out this evening but has hardly seen the ball in the second period. Little over 20 minutes remaining and you just feel that more goals are coming.
Half-chance for Messi to add his third as he skips past the goalkeeper inside the penalty area, but Navarro makes a vital challenge to deny the Argentine. But the pressure remains all one-way.
Barcelona remain in their comfort zone as they pass and probe in the Levante half. It is just ever so comfortable. They are cruising in first gear here. And there is nothing that Levante can do.
Change for Barcelona as Jordi Alba is replaced by Adriano. The noise from the crowd suggestions that there are more Barcelona fans in this stadium than Levante. Meanwhile, Michel replaces Juanlu for the home side.
Another change for Barcelona as Xavi is replaced by Thiago. Not a bad sub to bring on I suppose. This team is just full of quality. It is quite incredible.
The Catalan outfit remain in control of the possession as they stroke the ball around in midfield. Levante force a rare corner via Puyol, but the danger is headed clear by Pique.
It is almost like a training match at the moment as Barcelona keep possession in their own half. They have not been without the ball for the past few minutes. But Levante have completely given up.
Half-chance for Barcelona to make it number five as Messi releases Pedro down the right, but the Spanish winger cannot collect and the danger is cleared. The homs supporters are begging for the final whistle.
PENALTY TO LEVANTE: The home side are awarded a penalty as Pique handles inside the penalty area.
Valdes saves! It was not the greatest of penalties from Barkero and the Spanish goalkeeper got down low to save.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional two minutes of added time as Barcelona force yet another corner.
We enter the final moment of added time with Barcelona playing as they started. In total control. What an away second half performance it has been for the Catalan outfit.
Levante 0-4 Barcelona
So there we have it. A stunning second half performance from Barcelona secures all the points against Levante. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and join us tomorrow for more La Liga football. Until then!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
