Messi opened the scoring at the Nou Camp, chipping the ball to Jordi Alba and volleying home the return.

His 365th La Liga goal equalled Gerd Muller’s record for goals in a single one of Europe’s top five leagues.

Luis Suarez produced a superb strike before half-time and Paulinho tapped in a third in second-half stoppage time.

Suarez stepped over Messi’s low ball across the six-yard box, affording Paulinho a simple finish for his seventh league goal of the season.

Suarez, took his own tally to 11 and could have added more but for a fine Oier save in the second period.

Aside from a Marc-Andre ter Stergen save to keep out Shaquell Moore in a one-on-one opportunity, Barca eased to victory, extending their run to 26 matches unbeaten in all competitions.

Messi’s goal – his 16th in La Liga this season – means he needs to score just once more to surpass the record Muller set while playing for Bundesliga side Bayern Munich between 1964 and 1979.

The three points cancelled out second-placed Atletico Madrid’s win over Getafe on Saturday to restore a nine-point advantage.

The success also arrived in a good-news week for the club as they finally landed long-term transfer target Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool, with the Brazilian set to be confirmed as a Barca player imminently.

It is not yet clear how Coutinho will fit into Barca’s line-up, with some predicting he will be a long-term replacement for 33-year-old midfielder Andres Iniesta, who made his 650th club appearance.

Coutinho was not at the game, with reports in Spain suggesting he will complete a medical at Barcelona on Monday with a presentation to follow soon after.

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Source: BBC Sport

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Lionel Messi provided two assists but was unlucky not to be on the scoresheet himself as he hit the woodwork three times and missed a penalty.

First, Suarez tapped in Messi’s pass before Paulinho struck after the Argentine’s shot came back off the bar.

Suarez’s close-range finish made it 3-0 and Paulinho was again on hand to stab in when Jordi Alba hit the post.

Messi’s chance from the spot came just before Barcelona scored their fourth.

Suarez was fouled inside the box by Federico Valverde and, despite being on a hat-trick, he let Messi step up for the spot kick but the Argentina forward’s effort was kept out by Ruben Martinez.

The two goals for Paulinho, meanwhile, means he is on six for the season following the former Tottenham midfielder’s £36m arrival from Chinese club Guangzhou Evergrande in August.

Real Madrid were not in La Liga action at the weekend due to their involvement in the Club World Cup, which they won for a third time, equalling Barcelona’s record.

It means Barcelona are 11 points clear of Zinedine Zidane’s side ahead of Saturday’s fixture between the two sides at the Bernabeu (12:00 GMT).

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Source: BBC Sport

The post Suarez, Paulinho net doubles as Barcelona go six points clear appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The Barcelona star has built up quite a reputation over the years , and so perhaps it was no surprise to see a statue of the Uruguayan lying prone on the ground in his country of birth.

The monument, which was in the city of Salto, was toppled on Saturday, while Suarez and others were away at the wedding of his club team-mate Lionel Messi.

While being taken away to be refurbished, a note has been replaced in the spot, stating: ‘I went to Messi’s wedding, I’ll be back soon.’

According to local media, the person responsible for the fallen icon has already been arrested.
The statue was unveiled in July last year and stands on the corner of one of the city’s busiest streets.
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Source: Daily Mail

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