Barcelona match record for longest unbeaten run to start La Liga campaign

Barcelona have matched a club record for the longest unbeaten stretch to start a La Liga campaign, equalling the 21-match run achieved under Pep Guardiola during the 2009-10 season.

A first-half strike from John Guidetti put Barca's record in jeopardy at the Camp Nou on Sunday, but Luis Suarez pulled his side level in the 72nd minute before a Lionel Messi free-kick gave the Catalans a 2-1 victory.

Barca now have 18 wins and three draws in La Liga, while they managed 17 victories and four draws to open the 2009-10 campaign.

21 - Barcelona have equaled their longest unbeaten start to a league campaign in their history (W18 D3); under Pep Guardiola in 2009/10 (W17 D4 L0). Unstoppable. pic.twitter.com/jrCVXGXuWD

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) January 28, 2018

That record has made them the runaway league leaders, with Ernesto Valverde's side sitting 11 points ahead of second-placed Atletico Madrid and 19 points clear of arch-rivals Real Madrid.

The comeback also gave Barca 12 points gained from losing positions this season — more than any other club in La Liga.

Barca return to the field on Thursday for the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final against Valencia.

The Catalans will then look to break their club record against Espanyol next Sunday by stretching their unbeaten run in the league to start this season to 22 matches.