Barcelona travelled to Rayo Vallecano on Saturday looking to make it eight wins from their opening nine league matches of the new season.
It was the home side that started the match the stronger, but Barcelona moved ahead after 20 minutes when David Villa latched onto a Cesc Fabregas pass before converting from close range.
A Lionel Messi effort just after the break secured a two-goal lead, before strikes from Xavi, Fabregas and Messi added gloss to the scoreline.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary below.
Hello all! Our final match of Saturday comes from Madrid as Rayo Vallecano welcome table-toppers Barcelona. On paper, there looks to be only one result, but football has a funny way of surprising you when you least expect it.
However, the fact that Barcelona have scored 11 and conceded none in their last two matches against Rayo will not fill the home side's supporters full of confidence.
Team News: Rayo name three strikers for the clash against the Catalan giants. Meanwhile, Alex Song and David Villa both start for Barcelona. Full teams to follow.
Teams:
Rayo Vallecano: Andrade; Tito, Casado, Rodri, Amat; Carlos, Fuego, Dominguez, Piti; Delibasic, Baptistao
Barcelona: Valdes; Montoya, Adriano, Song, Alba; Fabregas, Xavi, Busquets; Villa, Messi, Pedro
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch in Madrid. Will Barcelona continue their remarkable start to the season? Or can Rayo upset the form book with a famous win? Let's wait and see.
A quick point before the match. Barcelona have Dani Alves, Andres Iniesta and Alexis Sanchez all on the bench. I suppose they aren't a bad three to have! Right, kickoff is moments away.
Here we go then. Rayo kick us off this evening. The corresponding fixture last season was 7-0 to Barcelona. Anyone fancy a repeat?
Bold start from the home side as they force an early corner before Jose Carlos fires a stinging effort wide of the target. This should be an open match.
However, normal service has somewhat been resumed with Barcelona now enjoying possession of the ball. Let's hope that there are goals this evening.
Tonight is also the seventh different combination of centre-backs for Barcelona this season. Seventh! It cannot help having to make that amount of changes. But needs must. Early booking for Jordi Alba as he dives into Piti.
The early pressure remains on Barcelona as Rayo force a host of corners and throw-ins. However, you just get the feeling that there willingness to attack will leave them open in defence.
So, 10 minutes into the match and we have seen nothing from Lionel Messi or David Villa. Rayo have started this match on fire with attack after attack.
Rayo are not giving Barcelona a second on the ball at the moment. Each time the home side loses it they go hunting in packs. They are doing to Barcelona what Barcelona do to every team they play. Impressive stuff.
The home side remain very much on the front foot as the half begins to develop. However, you just get the feeling that Barcelona will up the tempo as the minutes tick on.
First real attack of the match from Barcelona as Messi finds Pedro on the right, but Casado makes a fine challenge to clear the danger.
Rayo continue to impress as they pass and probe in the Barcelona half. But chances have remained few and far between in the opening 18 minutes.
The biggest cheer of the match erupts as Valdes takes his eye off a back-pass, but he manages to clear the danger at the second time of asking. The entire Barcelona defence looks shaky.
First sign of Messi as he collects possession outside the box, but his effort is over the crossbar. However, they are the side on the attack now.
GOAL! Rayo Vallecano 0-1 Barcelona (Villa)
What was I saying? Barcelona take the lead as Fabregas finds Villa and the striker converts from close range. Brilliant Barcelona goal.
Isn't that just football? Rayo have had all the play in the opening 21 minutes, but they concede. It is so important that they keep it tight for the next five minutes or so.
Rayo need to continue their work-rate as the opening period develops. However, you can almost sense a change in the tide as Barcelona break with pace and numbers once more.
Decent spell of possession for the home side as Carlos and Fuego combine in midfield, but their final ball has just been lacking thus far. Meanwhile, it is the away fans making the noise.
The match has just become scrappy in the past few minutes with both sides giving away fouls in midfield. Meanwhile, Villa tests the palms of Andrade from outside the box.
Suddenly it's all Barcelona as Pedro finds Messi on the edge of the box, but the Argentine's pass for Alba is just too long. Rayo need to be so so careful here as Fabregas is denied by Andrade.
Again Barcelona flood forward as Messi finds Villa on the left, but Amat comes across to make the clearance. Rayo cannot get out at the moment.
The away side continue to pass and probe in the Rayo half. They force a free kick on the edge of the box, but Messi's effort is just past the post.
Where has this first half gone? It really has flown by. In fairness, Rayo continue to attack with numbers, but they need something to hold onto. Little under 10 minutes of the half remaining.
Not a great deal to deport in terms of chances at the moment. Barcelona are playing the better football, but both sides look capable of scoring. The next goal could ultimately decide this match.
Rayo continue to press Barcelona in their own half, but the away side ultimately find the gaps. It's nothing but possession for Barcelona at the moment.
Half-chance for the away side as Alba finds the run of Villa in the box, but the striker is just given offside. Meanwhile, a host of fouls continue to interupt the flow of the match.
Again it's smart football from Rayo as Fuego searches out the run of Delibasic, but Valdes is on hand to collect the danger. Meanwhile, Villa is ruled offside down the other end once more.
Meanwhile, the referee indicates a minimum of one minute to be played at the end of the half.
Rayo Vallecano 0-1 Barcelona
So there we have it. A David Villa strike after 20 minutes hands Barcelona half-time lead over Rayo Vallecano. In truth, chances have remained few and far between, but Barcelona remain on course for another three points.
Let's take a look at some statistics from the opening half. Barcelona have dominated possession with 58%, while they have had six shots to Rayo's seven. Although just one of the home side's shots have been on target.
It has not been a classic performance from Barcelona, but these are the type of games that you have to win in order to secure the title. That said, Rayo remain a threat and will have chances in the second 45.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of the second period. This match is far from over, but you just get the feeling that the next goal could decide the overall outcome.
Barcelona get us underway in the second half. Who - if anyone - will get the all-important next goal?
Rayo continue to ask questions in the early stages of the second period. They have been so positive, but the threat from Barcelona will come on the counter. Let's hope for some goals.
GOAL! Rayo Vallecano 0-2 Barcelona (Messi)
Barcelona lead as Montoya finds Messi on the edge of the box and he in turn finds the top corner to score his 16th goal of the season.
It just had to be him. And when he scores one, he usually does not stop there. It is going to be so difficult for Rayo to get anything from this match as it stands. But they will continue to attack.
Decent response from Rayo as Fuego strikes one from outside the box, but Valdes pushes wide. Meanwhile, Delibasic heads wide from the resulting corner.
Barcelona continue to create as Messi searches out the run of Villa in the box, but Andrade pounces to collect. Meanwhile, the home side give away a host of fouls among their frustration.
However, Barcelona have conceded eight goals in their last three league games. Rayo just need some sort of inspiration to have a sniff of getting something. And it needs to come soon.
Amat attempts to find the home side's opener as he strikes an effort from all of 50 yards, but Valdes watches it wide of the post. The second goal has just sucked the life out of them.
Meanwhile, first change of the match for the home side as Lass replaces Piti. It just has not been the skipper's night this evening.
It's really smart work from the home side as Fuego combines with Amat before feeding Lass, but his effort is just wide of the post. The home supporters need to stay with their team here.
Chance! Best chance of the second period for the home side as Delibasic strikes a powerful effort towards goal, but Valdes gathers. It is going to take something like that.
Change for Barcelona as Villa is replaced by Alexis Sanchez. Not a bad sub to have! Rayo will not relish coming up against his pace in the final 25 minutes or so.
Chance! Messi comes close to adding his second as Amat produces a horror back-pass, but the Argentine can only clip wide of the target. As if he needs some help to score!
Meanwhile, change for the home side as Nicki Billie replaces Casado. Little over 20 minutes remaining of normal time in Madrid. Not a great deal to report at the moment.
Rayo continue to flood forward with numbers, but their final ball has been lacking on more than one occasion. The Barcelona defence has not really been tested in this second period.
Half-chance for Barcelona to make it three as Messi bends a free kick from outside the box, but Andrade makes a smart save. You cannot help but feel that this match is over.
It's delightful play from Messi as he attempts to find Sanchez in the box, but the winger is just offside. Meanwhile, another change for the home side as Leo is replaced by Franco Vasquez.
The home side are not happy here and it appears that the Rayo boss has been sent to the stands for a word out of place. He does not look a happy man at the moment.
Chance! Rodri comes close to adding Rayo's first of the night, but he fires it wide from close range. He should have done so much better.
GOAL! Rayo Vallecano 0-3 Barcelona (Xavi)
Barcelona have their third as Alba finds Xavi on the edge of the box and the midfielder fires it bottom corner.
That is well and truly the match. Rayo need to be very careful here because they are so open and the fourth appears to be coming.
GOAL! Rayo Vallecano 0-4 Barcelona (Fabregas)
And there it is! Fabregas adds his side's fourth with a fine finish from inside the box.
Meanwhile, change for Barcelona as Bartra replaces Alba. Suddenly it is all happening!
Another change for Barcelona as Xavi is replaced by Jonathan Dos Santos. Meanwhile, Barcelona are dominating possession in the final moments of this one.
Half-chance for Messi to add his second of the match as he is played through by Fabregas, but the Argentine fires wide. It must be said that the score is ever so harsh on Rayo.
GOAL! Rayo Vallecano 0-5 Barcelona (Messi)
Messi does indeed add his second goal of the match as he rounds Andrade before finishing from close range. Just brilliant.
That's league goal number 13 for Messi. Incredible. Meanwhile, we will play an additional two minutes at the end of normal time.
Chance for Sanchez to make it six as he advances on goal, but Andrade makes a smart save. Little over one minute of time remaining.
Rayo Vallecano 0-5 Barcelona
So there we have it. Barcelona make it eight league wins from nine games this season with a thumping 5-0 win over Rayo Vallecano. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and look out for our match analysis on the site within the next 30 minutes. Goodnight!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
