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As it happenedended

Espanyol vs Barcelona LIVE - Scintillating Lionel Messi shines as Barca cruise to victory

Callum Rice-Coates
Saturday 08 December 2018 11:25 EST
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(Getty)

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Barcelona inflicted further misery on Catalan rivals Espanyol when the sides met for their first derby of the season.

Lionel Messi was once again the star of the show, scoring a brilliant solo goal and a wonderful free-kick as Barca proved far too good.

Re-live all the action below.

What time does it start?

Espanyol vs Barcelona kicks off at 7:45pm (GMT)

Lionel Messi is in form for Barcelona
Lionel Messi is in form for Barcelona (Reuters)

Where can I watch it?

The match will be shown live on Eleven Sports 1 from 7:40pm and on their La Liga TV channel from kick-off. Fans can also watch the match on Eleven Sports through iOS mobile and tablet apps as well as on Android mobiles.

Highlights will be shown at 10:30pm on Eleven Sports’ La Liga TV channel.

Player to watch

Ousmane Dembele: It was yet another impressive outing for the Frenchman against Villarreal. He was far and away the most potent threat for his side, particularly in the first half when he assisted Gerard Pique for the opening goal. Espanyol will no doubt look to put more behind the ball in this derby, but Dembele’s pace could unpick such a tactic.

Form guide

Espanyol: LWLLLW

Barcelona: DLDWWW

Odds

Espanyol to win: 19/4

Barcelona to win: 13/25

Draw: 10/3

Prediction

Espanyol 1-4 Barcelona

Espanyol 0-4 Barcelona

76 minutes

So after a long delay, VAR rules out Duarte's goal. He was offside as the free kick was swung in. Espanyol are denied a consolation goal for their efforts.

Callum Rice-Coates8 December 2018 21:19

Espanyol 0-4 Barcelona

79 minutes

Vila goes into the book for a foul on Messi, who's in search of a hattrick. Perhaps he can score a third free kick.

In the meantime, Munir replaces Suarez.

Callum Rice-Coates8 December 2018 21:22

Espanyol 0-4 Barcelona

80 minutes

Messi chooses to cross from the free kick, and Rakitic's effort is blocked. 

Callum Rice-Coates8 December 2018 21:22

Espanyol 0-4 Barcelona

82 minutes

A goal is proving elusive for Espanyol tonight. Garcia swings the ball in and it's met by the head of Victor Sanchez. He gets enough power on it, but it flies over the bar.

Callum Rice-Coates8 December 2018 21:25

Espanyol 0-4 Barcelona

83 minutes

Barcelona make their final change. Denis Suarez is on for Rakitic.

Callum Rice-Coates8 December 2018 21:26

Espanyol 0-4 Barcelona

85 minutes

Close again for Espanyol. Baptistao tries a speculative effort, which is deflected and loops over Ter Stegen. But it's just wide of the far post.

Callum Rice-Coates8 December 2018 21:28

Espanyol 0-4 Barcelona

87 minutes

Messi swings in a free kick which just evades the head of Vidal. Another Barcelona goal wouldn't be surprising here.

Callum Rice-Coates8 December 2018 21:29

Espanyol 0-4 Barcelona

89 minutes

Baptistao gets his head on a free kick but again it's an easy save for Ter Stegen. Espanyol have worked hard in the second half and are unfortunate not to have got a goal. But time is running out and the home fans, dwindling in numbers, are much quieter than they were at the start of the evening.

Callum Rice-Coates8 December 2018 21:33

Espanyol 0-4 Barcelona

90 minutes

Iglesias looks to pick out the bottom corner but sees his shot blocked. Barcelona clear, and Vidal is injured by his own player, Lenglet, who inadvertently leaves his studs in the Chilean's ankle.

Callum Rice-Coates8 December 2018 21:34

Espanyol 0-4 Barcelona

90+4 minutes

Pique certainly isn't a traditional centre back. He plays the ball out from defence and then sprints forward, hoping to add his name to the scoresheet. It doesn't look likely now, though. Just a minute left to play.

Callum Rice-Coates8 December 2018 21:37

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