Málaga

3.27

• 
  38

  6

  3.50

  Carlos Kameni

  Was left totally exposed for Pedro's opener but came to his side's rescue with a fine stop after Demichelis had given the ball straight to Messi. Made another crucial save from the diminutive forward in the second period but was ultimately let down by those in front of him.

• 
  30

  6

  4.00

  Joaquín

  Another fine display from the revitalised winger. Took his goal wonderfully well, sweeping the ball first time into the bottom right corner of the Barcelona goal, and also set up Santa Cruz's strike with a terrific run at the heart of the Blaugrana defence.

• 
  8

  10

  3.50

  Jesús Gámez

  Far more secure than Eliseu on the opposite side of the Malaga defence, Gamez did a pretty decent job of nullifying the threat posed by Jordi Alba, who only once got in behind him.

• 
  4

  16

  3.50

  Weligton

  Booked for a clumsy foul on Messi and occasionally sloppy in possession, but the skipper made a number of crucial interventions, clearing off the line in the first half before cutting out an Alba cross in the second.

• 
  11

  10

  3.50

  Martín Demichelis

  Extremely fortunate to see Messi shoot straight at Kameni after giving the ball straight to his fellow Argentine on the edge of his own area. He was caught flatfooted by his compatriot on occasion but, overall, he performed well in difficult circumstances.

• 
  3

  15

  2.50

  Eliseu Flop of the Match

  Was caused all sorts of problems by the incredibly attack-minded Dani Alves, who set up the game's opening goal, while he was also booked after felling Pedro, who had slipped past him with the aid of a fine nutmeg.

• 
  4

  11

  3.00

  Camacho

  Really put himself about, signalling his intent to ruffle some feathers with a robust challenge on Iniesta early on, and also tested Pinto with a decent strike from distance.

• 
  8

  10

  3.50

  Manuel Iturra

  Caught napping by Xavi at one point towards the tail end of the first half, but ultimately did very well against the best midfield in world football.

• 
  8

  11

  3.00

  Duda

  Like those around him, worked tirelessly but was unable to impose himself on the proceedings and was hauled off less than 20 minutes into the second half.

• 
  7

  11

  3.00

  Sebastián Fernández Miglierina

  Played a key role in Joaquin's goal, threading the ball into the path of the former Betis man. However, wasn't given many opportunities thereafter to show what he could do from an attacking perspective.

• 
  21

  7

  3.50

  Roque Santa Cruz

  Held the ball up well during the first half and was unlucky that he had to stretch while trying to volley a free-kick from the right past Pinto. However, he remained patient and claimed a deserved goal by finding the bottom corner with an angled strike from the edge of the area.

Substitutions

• 
  4

  8

  3.00

  Javier Saviola

  Replaced Seba Fernandez on 83 minutes but although he looked lively, he did not have enough time to make an impression on the game.

• 
  13

  11

  Lucas Piazon

  Came on for the impressive Joaquin with seven minutes to go and was unsurprisingly unable to make the same sort of impact.

• 
  6

  8

  3.00

  Portillo

  Introduced midway through the second half but didn't really manage to show what he can do going forward.

Barcelona

3.42

• 
  47

  12

  3.00

  José Pinto Colorado

  Not much he could do about Joaquin's well-placed finish, but he was a little lucky that nobody was on hand to take advantage of his inability to hold onto a shot from Camacho at the end of the first half.

• 
  46

  20

  3.00

  Javier Mascherano

  Seemed unaware that Joaquin had slipped in behind him in the lead-up to winger's goal and didn't seem to be picking anyone up when Santa Cruz volleyed wide unmarked at the back post.

• 
  65

  8

  3.50

  Jordi Alba

  Maybe should have tried harder to close down Seba Fernandez before he picked out Joaquin, but he was reasonably sound defensively. Also made a couple of fine surges down the left wing, one of which would have left Messi with a tap-in had it not been for Weligton.

• 
  69

  8

  3.50

  Piqué

  Guilty of not getting close enough to Joaquin before the attacker struck Malaga's equaliser. However, he more than made amends by controlling an Iniesta pass on his chest with aplomb before calmly slotting home to put Barca 2-1 up.

• 
  76

  10

  3.50

  Daniel Alves

  Once again the Brazilian offered Barca a wonderful attacking outlet down the right-hand side, teeing up Pedro after a terrific run in behind the Malaga back four before later crossing for Messi to head home.

• 
  61

  10

  3.50

  Xavi

  As per usual, he dictated things from the middle of the park and played his part in Pedro's headed goal by timing and weighting his pass through to Dani Alves to utter perfection.

• 
  99

  23

  4.00

  Cesc Fàbregas Top of the Match

  Being booked for diving was his most noteworthy act in a disappointing opening 45 minutes for Cesc. He was like a different player in the second half, though, and it was his through-ball which Iniesta finished to effectively put the tie beyond Malaga.

• 
  62

  9

  3.00

  Busquets

  At one point in the first half, he looked like a red card waiting to happen, his demeanour not having been helped by being nutmegged by Gamez. However, he was a far more composed presence in the second period, with the highlight of his night's work probably a well-timed intervention when Joaquin was in full flight.

• 
  65

  11

  3.50

  Pedro

  Looked lively right from the off and his well-taken headed opener came at the end of a move that he was twice involved in during the build-up. Not quite as influential in the second half, but an impressive contribution all things considered.

• 
  106

  12

  4.00

  Andrés Iniesta Luján

  As ever, a joy to watch, although he probably should have scored after a sublime one-two with Messi. Indeed, Iniesta appeared to hesitate too long before then slicing a shot onto the top of the crossbar. However, he made Barca's second, lofting the ball in behind the Malaga defence for Pique to convert from close range, before then effectively deciding the tie in his side's favour after coolly finishing another brilliant one-two.

• 
  138

  32

  4.00

  Lionel Messi

  Strangely shot straight after Kameni after pouncing on a mistake by Demichelis but then put Iniesta through with a deft touch some 25 yards out. Squandered another great chance after being put in on goal by Iniesta but then made the game safe with a fine header. Even when he's average, he's better than nearly every other player on the pitch.

Substitutions

• 
  42

  9

  Adriano

  Came on in place of Jordi Alba as Barca looked to kill time late on.

• 
  44

  8

  3.00

  Thiago Alcántara

  Took over from Messi with just seven minutes remaining.

• 
  43

  12

  3.00

  Alexis Sánchez

  Only saw three minutes of game time at the death.