Barcelona moved to within touching distance of retaining the La Liga title with a comprehensive hammering of Espanyol in the Nou Camp.

Lionel Messi curled in a delightful free kick after just eight minutes and, while Barca were made to wait during a tempestuous first half, the result was never in doubt from the moment Luis Suarez doubled the lead seven minutes into the second period.

Suarez added a third just after the hour mark while sub Rafinha and Neymar notched late on to cement another free-scoring success for Luis Enrique’s men. Messi’s early free was the pick of the goals, the Argentine bending a left-footed effort over the wall and in just beneath the crossbar. It was Messi that capitalised on the some poor defending after the break to release Suarez, who fired past Pau Sabata to make it 2-0.

https://youtu.be/mDxov1wXHx0

The Uruguayan then rose tallest to head home Neymar’s corner on 61 minutes as Barcelona eased clear of their visitors.

Goalkeeper Pau Sabata then threw in a howler as he spilled the ball in front of Rafinha, who slotted into an unguarded net with his first touch. Suarez repaid Neymar’s earlier assist with seven minutes left, teeing up the Brazilian for a simple tap in at the back post.

With Atletico Madrid losing at already-relegated Levante, it means Barcelona lead Real Madrid by one point with one game to go in the Spanish title race, which is now a two-horse race after Diego Simeone’s side bowed out.

Nigerianeye….

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