Played
November 29, 2011 3:00 PM EST
Camp Nou — Barcelona
Referee: Miguel Pérez
Attendance: 75000
November 29, 2011 3:00 PM EST
Camp Nou — Barcelona
Referee: Miguel Pérez
Attendance: 75000
Top of the Match
Alexis Sánchez
Barcelona
Barcelona
Alexis Sánchez
Barcelona
Barcelona
Flop of the Match
Javi Fuego
Rayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano
Lass
Rayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Barcelona 4-0 Rayo Vallecano: Sanchez, Villa and Messi all on target as champions close gap to three points on leader Real Madrid
The Liga giants had their three-prong attack to thank as they secured an important victory over Jose Ramon Sandoval's men to move closer to their rivals at the top of the table
By Luke Matthews
Barcelona was too hot to handle as it ran out 4-0 winners against Rayo Vallecano at Camp Nou, to close the deficit at the top of La Liga to three points.
An impressive double from Alexis Sanchez gave Pep Guardiola's side the lead before David Villa found the back of the net just before halftime. Lionel Messi added a fourth four minutes after the restart to lock down the win.
Barca cut Real Madrid's lead to three points, with Jose Mourinho's men having played a game less.
The victory also ensured it was the 11th Liga game in a row at Camp Nou where the Catalan club had kept a clean sheet, a new record in Spain.
The match, brought forward due to Barca's participation in the Club World Cup next month, had a frantic opening in which the home side came close to opening the scoring as early as the second minute.
Andres Iniesta spotted Davis Cobeno off his line and the midfielder's audacious effort from 40 yards out had the goalkeeper backtracking, and he eventually had to dive at full stretch to turn the ball around the post for a corner.
Despite not being at their flowing best, Pep Guardiola's men took the lead in the 29th minute through a moment of magic from Sanchez. The Chilean received the ball from a Xavi pass on the left-hand side of the box, before cutting in and curling a delightful effort into the far top corner for his second Liga goal of the season.
On 41 minutes, the home side doubled its lead and it was Sanchez again who found the back of the net, via an inadvertent piece of skill from Xavi. Messi's clever through pass found the 31-year-old midfielder who flicked the ball with his heel into the path of Sanchez, to sweep home from 12 yards out.
Two minutes later, the champions added a third to put the result beyond doubt before the halftime whistle had been blown. Gerard Pique's barnstorming run into the Rayo final third saw the former Manchester United defender slide the ball to Alves, who then squared it to Villa, the Spaniard placing the ball into an empty net from close range.
The home team made it four on 49 minutes with Messi grabbing his 16th Liga goal of the season. The Argentine controlled Alves' pass on the right wing before pacing past Javi Fuego and sliding the ball past Cobeno from a narrow angle.
Villa nearly made it five in the 70th minute when he controlled a long ball before attempting to lift over the onrushing Cobeno from 20 yards out. However, his effort narrowly looped over the crossbar as the home team comfortably saw out the victory.
Barcelona is back in Liga action on Saturday when it will be hoping for another three points away against this season's surprise package, Levante. Rayo Vallecano visits local rival Atletico Madrid the next day.
An impressive double from Alexis Sanchez gave Pep Guardiola's side the lead before David Villa found the back of the net just before halftime. Lionel Messi added a fourth four minutes after the restart to lock down the win.
Barca cut Real Madrid's lead to three points, with Jose Mourinho's men having played a game less.
The victory also ensured it was the 11th Liga game in a row at Camp Nou where the Catalan club had kept a clean sheet, a new record in Spain.
The match, brought forward due to Barca's participation in the Club World Cup next month, had a frantic opening in which the home side came close to opening the scoring as early as the second minute.
Andres Iniesta spotted Davis Cobeno off his line and the midfielder's audacious effort from 40 yards out had the goalkeeper backtracking, and he eventually had to dive at full stretch to turn the ball around the post for a corner.
Despite not being at their flowing best, Pep Guardiola's men took the lead in the 29th minute through a moment of magic from Sanchez. The Chilean received the ball from a Xavi pass on the left-hand side of the box, before cutting in and curling a delightful effort into the far top corner for his second Liga goal of the season.
On 41 minutes, the home side doubled its lead and it was Sanchez again who found the back of the net, via an inadvertent piece of skill from Xavi. Messi's clever through pass found the 31-year-old midfielder who flicked the ball with his heel into the path of Sanchez, to sweep home from 12 yards out.
Two minutes later, the champions added a third to put the result beyond doubt before the halftime whistle had been blown. Gerard Pique's barnstorming run into the Rayo final third saw the former Manchester United defender slide the ball to Alves, who then squared it to Villa, the Spaniard placing the ball into an empty net from close range.
The home team made it four on 49 minutes with Messi grabbing his 16th Liga goal of the season. The Argentine controlled Alves' pass on the right wing before pacing past Javi Fuego and sliding the ball past Cobeno from a narrow angle.
Villa nearly made it five in the 70th minute when he controlled a long ball before attempting to lift over the onrushing Cobeno from 20 yards out. However, his effort narrowly looped over the crossbar as the home team comfortably saw out the victory.
Barcelona is back in Liga action on Saturday when it will be hoping for another three points away against this season's surprise package, Levante. Rayo Vallecano visits local rival Atletico Madrid the next day.
Follow Goal.com on 
to get the latest soccer news directly. Check out Goal.com's 
page; be part of the best soccer fan community in the world!
to get the latest soccer news directly. Check out Goal.com's page; be part of the best soccer fan community in the world!
Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Times In EDT
Live
Final
scheduled
Suspended
Cancelled
Postponed
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lionel Messi Striker Barcelona |
46 | 4 |
|
Cristiano Ronaldo Striker Real Madrid |
34 | 6 |
|
Radamel Falcao Striker Atlético de Madrid |
28 | 8 |
|
Roberto Soldado Striker Valencia |
21 | 5 |
|
Negredo Striker Sevilla |
20 | 3 |
