Barcelona

3.54

• 
  29

  12

  3.00

  Víctor Valdés

  A virtual spectator for most of the game, Valdes was tested only once before Alvaro was gifted a goal by a poor header from Alba. Consequently, he will be bitterly disappointed not to have kept a clean sheet.

• 
  40

  8

  4.00

  Piqué

  A calm and composed figure at the back for Barca, Pique distributed the ball well and was particularly dominant in the air. Had such an easy afternoon that he even indulged himself by staying forward to bag himself a goal in the dying seconds.

• 
  40

  7

  3.50

  Carles Puyol

  Just like his central defensive colleague Pique, the veteran centre-half enjoyed something of an armchair ride but he was solid as a rock when called upon. Given a well-deserved rest for the final 15 minutes.

• 
  36

  9

  3.50

  Jordi Alba

  A constant threat down the left flank, the former Valencia man created great chances for both Messi and Villa in the opening half hour alone. Played a pass that even Iniesta would have been proud of in putting Villa through to score but blotted his copybook somewhat with the header that allowed Alvaro in to score.

• 
  30

  9

  3.00

  Adriano

  Unsurprisingly looked to attack at every opportunity, which he did to great effect. However, he was also very neat and tidy in everything that he did from a defensive perspective. Unlucky that injury brought a premature end to his day.

• 
  90

  7

  5.00

  Andrés Iniesta Luján Top of the Match

  Another masterclass from a player who just makes the game look so easy. Played the most sublime through-ball for Alexis to open the scoring before creating a goal for Messi with a staggeringly effortless chip over the Getafe defence.

• 
  37

  7

  3.50

  Thiago Alcántara

  Was bright and busy throughout, teeing up Messi for Barca's second after latching onto Iniesta's chip over the top, before repeating the feat in the dying seconds, with Pique the beneficiary on that occasion. Was also unlucky to be denied a goal by Escudero after getting on the end of a cut-back from Alexis.

• 
  36

  12

  3.50

  Alex Song

  Committed a clumsy foul on Lacen inside the opening 60 seconds before then putting his side in trouble by getting caught on the ball moments later. However, he steadily improved as the game went on and kept things ticking over nicely at the base of the Barca midfield.

• 
  59

  7

  3.50

  David Villa

  Linked well with Messi at times but really should have converted after getting on the end of Alba's low cross from the left. He did score Barcelona's third, however, and put his side out of sight.

• 
  44

  8

  4.00

  Alexis Sánchez

  Handed a rare chance to start and made the most of it, the Chilean opening the scoring early on with a calm finish after a clever infield run. Also produced a terrific first-time cross from the right that Messi volleyed against the post.

• 
  86

  19

  4.00

  Lionel Messi

  Rather surprisingly botched a chance to put Villa in on goal during the early exchanges but made amends by doubling Barca's lead - despite losing his footing in the process - before later setting up Tello for Barca's fourth.

Substitutions

• 
  31

  11

  3.00

  Daniel Alves

  Came on in place of the injured Adrian during the break and unsurprisingly proved a real handful down the right wing.

• 
  19

  12

  2.50

  Javier Mascherano

  Replaced Puyol at the back for Barca for the last 15 minutes or so but looked a little sluggish.

• 
  30

  9

  3.50

  Tello

  Brought on for Alexis for the closing stages and made the most of the little time he was afforded, finding the back of the net with a fine curling effort, after being set up by Messi.

Getafe

2.29

• 
  0

  9

  2.50

  Codina

  Hard not to feel a tad sorry for Codina, who saw his defence repeatedly opened up with alarming ease. Made a couple of good saves, though, and could not be faulted for any of the goals.

• 
  0

  7

  3.00

  Alexis

  Was fighting a losing battle at the heart of a Getafe defence that was completely overrun by Barca's brilliant attacking unit. However, things would have been a lot worse for the visitors had he not been there trying to hold things together.

• 
  0

  8

  2.00

  Miguel Torres

  Was given all sorts of trouble by Alba and Villa, whom he completely lost for Barca's third goal. Got forward when he could, though, testing Valdes for the first time with a low drive shortly before the break. However, he will not look back on this game with any great fondness.

• 
  0

  7

  2.00

  Alberto Lopo

  Showed impressive pace and sound positioning to cut out Messi's attempted through-ball for Villa, after being left all alone at the back early on. He did even better in dispossessing Messi with an expertly-timed challenge after the Argentine had built up a head of steam. However, he was deservedly booked for a dreadful lunge on Villa and was ultimately pulled out of position too many times.

• 
  0

  7

  2.50

  Sergio Escudero

  Presented Barca with a two-on-one after completely missing his kick in the middle of the pitch and was lucky to be bailed out by Lopo. Was also run ragged by Alexis at one point, but he did make a number of crucial interventions, with the way in which he managed to deny Thiago a tap-in the pick of the bunch.

• 
  1

  6

  2.50

  Jaime Gavilán Martínez

  Did his best to try and keep his side's spirits up after a dreadful start, but it was an exercise in futility. The Getafe skipper was able to lift neither his team-mates nor himself and he was hauled off after 68 uninspired minutes.

• 
  0

  7

  2.50

  Abdel

  Another Getafe player who failed miserably to impose himself on the proceedings. Never stopped running but had contributed next to nothing in an attacking sense before being replaced midway through the second half.

• 
  0

  11

  1.50

  Borja Flop of the Match

  Trying to contain Barca's midfielders is a thankless task but he offered so little protection to his back four it was ridiculous. Amazing that he lasted the full 90 minutes.

• 
  0

  6

  2.00

  Lacen

  Showed what he could do when he did get the ball by leaving Iniesta trailing in his wake at one point, but found possession hard to come by. However, he worked hard and did very well to get back and make a vital tackle on Iniesta, who had left him for dead wide on the left.

• 
  1

  7

  2.50

  Diego Castro

  Looked the visitors' most capable attacking player so it was a shame that he had to spend so much time on the back foot, trying in vain to help Miguel Torres contain Alba. So frustrated did Castro become that he collected a booking for the most blantant pull on the Barca full-back.

• 
  0

  7

  2.00

  Adrián Colunga

  Completely isolated for long periods but he did hold the ball up well for anyone who actually managed to get forward in support. Also tried his luck with an audacious chip from the edge of the area but it was always going over. Eventually ran out of steam with just over 15 minutes to go.

Substitutions

• 
  2

  6

  2.00

  Pablo Sarabia

  Came on with 20 minutes left but was unable to make an impact.

• 
  0

  6

  2.00

  Pedro León

  Introduced midway through the second half but did little of note.

• 
  2

  7

  3.00

  Álvaro

  Took over from Colunga in the final stages and netted a consolation for the visitors after pouncing on Alba's wayward header and finishing confidently.