Rayo Vallecano 1-5 Barcelona: Player ratings
Barcelona strolled past Rayo Vallecano to secure an easy 5-1 victory away from home with Lionel Messi scoring a hat-trick. The win extended Barcelona’s lead at the top of the La Liga to 8 points and they will now be the odds-on favourites to win the La Liga title.
Rayo Vallecano initially started off well and gave plenty of problems to Barcelona, However an absolute howler from their goalkeeper along with two red cards ensured Barcelona would have an easy night.
This win was historic for Barcelona as they now have the record for the most number of unbeaten matches for a La Liga side.
We observe each Barcelona player’s performance during the game and assign them a rating on a scale of 1-10:
Claudio Bravo – 8
The Chilean goalkeeper made a few regulation stops off Embarba in the first half but was largely untested throughout the game. He was alert and good with his distribution whenever he was called upon.
Jeremy Mathieu – 8
The Frenchman was played in a position which he does not favour, however, he put in an assured performance even providing a lovely assist late on which was scored by the substitute Arda Turan.
Gerard Pique – 7.5
Largely untested throughout the game, Pique had a standard game stepping in while required. He dealt with the aerial threat of Manucho pretty well but he was slightly at fault for Rayo's solitary goal.
Javier Mascherano – 7
It is easy to lose focus when your team is absolutely dominating play and the opposition has a couple of players sent off and the Argentine was guilty of that as he left Manucho unmarked for Rayo’s goal. Apart from that error, he put in his usual composed performance at the heart of the defence.
Sergi Roberto – 7.5
He was played in the right-back position and the La Masia product was solid without being spectacular in his role. He was replaced by Aleix Vidal late in the second half.
Sergio Busquets – 8.5
The midfield enforcer put in his customary superb performance for Barcelona breaking up play and reading the game brilliantly. He was substituted for Vermaelen with just over 10 minutes left to play.
Andres Iniesta – 7.5
Barcelona's captain did not get on the ball as often as he would have liked and he was not at his creative best today for Barcelona.
Ivan Rakitic – 8.5
The Croatian had a good game. He was at the right place to score the opening goal and he also played a couple of incisive passes. He also put in some fiesty tackles at the centre of the pitch for Barcelona. He was replaced by Arda Turan in the second half.
Neymar – 7.5
The Brazilian tried hard today but the final product was just missing from his game. He combined well with the front two and he also struck a wonderful free-kick which thudded against the woodwork.
Lionel Messi – 10
The Argentine once again showed his class as he scored a hat-trick to take him level with Ronaldo for the most number of hat-tricks in Spanish football. He was absolutely superb on the night as he tormented the Rayo defence throughout.
Luis Suarez – 6.5
Luis Suarez did not perform to his usual standards as he failed to capitalise on a 9 man Rayo defense. Suarez struck the post and he even missed a penalty as Barcelona’s woes from the spot continued.
Substitutes
Arda Turan – 8.5
The Turkish international came on for Rakitic in the second half and grabbed himself both a goal and yellow card. Turan showed great desire and positioning to head in the 5th goal of the game.
Aleix Vidal & Thomas Vermaelen – NA
The duo came on too late in the second half to have any actual bearing on the game.