Barcelona stroll to 2-0 win against Malaga

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SteemSports Presenter: @mojorisin

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SteemSports Editor: @ldauch

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Barcelona stretched their lead at the top of La Liga to four points ahead of Valencia who continued their good form with an emphatic 4-0 win over Sevilla. Real Madrid slipped to 3rd but can reclaim 2nd if they beat Eibar tonight.

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Luis Suarez in action against Malaga

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As comfortable as it was for the Catalonians, there was some controversy with the opening goal. Left back Lucas Digne scampered down the wing and attempted to cross the ball, but it deflected kindly to him. But the ball clearly crossed the line before he crossed again, and the awaiting Gerard Deulofeu headed the ball from 3 yards out.

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The ball had clearly crossed the byline, and how the linesman didn’t see it, is something only he can explain, but the goal stood and Barcelona sleepwalked their way to victory.

There wasn’t much action for the rest of the half as Barcelona seemed happy just to keep the ball. They enjoyed 65% possession without really threatening Malaga’s goal.

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Always a sell-out crows at the Camp Nou

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If Barcelona’s plan was to suffocate Malaga’s hope of scoring, they were given a fright just after the break. A 40 yard strike from Venezuelan Roberto Rosales was enough to wake the Catalonians.

2 minutes later, Messi almost made it 2-0. Iniesta back-flicked a ball into the Argentine’s path. Messi then dummied around one defender before creating space, but his shot was from too acute an angle to trouble the Malaga keeper. But it was better from Barcelona.

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The two players were involved in Barcelona’s second goal, however. This time Messi was the provider as he put a nice ball through to Iniesta in space. The veteran then unleashed a shot which deflected into the top corner.

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Messi and Iniesta were the architects of Barcelona's win

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And with a two-goal cushion Barcelona seemed to go back into subconscious mode. It was enough because Malaga’s time on the ball was stifled and Messi and co just upped their game when they needed to.

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Man of the match, Lionel Messi thought he had made it 3 in the last minute. A cross whipped in from the right fell to him and he nodded in from close range, but the linesman had rightly flagged for off-side and the scoreline remained 2-0 to Barcelona.

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Man of the match Lionel Messi in action against Malaga

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Barcelona were good without needing to get out of second gear. They’re now 4 points above 2nd place and are looking hungry to reclaim their title. Obviously the main test will be when they play El Classico, but the difference with this season and last season’s Barcelona is the Catalan giants aren’t slipping up against the likes of Malaga.

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