Barcelona continue marching clear with win over Girona
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Your support makes all the difference.Barcelona won its eighth straight Spanish league game as Lionel Messi scored in a 2-0 win at 10-man Girona on Sunday.
Barcelona kept its five-point lead over Atletico Madrid with Messi grabbing his 10th goal in a seven-game scoring streak in the league. He was left all alone to chip the ball over goalkeeper Yassine Bounou in the 69th minute.
The Spanish league had originally wanted to play the match in the United States, but the plan fell through. Instead of traveling 7,500 kilometers (4,600 miles) to Miami, Barcelona went 100 kilometers (60 miles) to Girona's Montilivi Stadium.
Right back Nelson Semedo gave Barcelona the ninth-minute lead when a loose ball fell to him in the area, and he used his left leg to rifle it inside the post. It was only his second goal in his second season with the Catalan club.
But Girona stifled Barcelona's attack and threatened to equalize on several occasions through striker Cristian Stuani.
Stuani's best chance came late in the first half when Marc-Andre ter Stegen got low to block his shot. Teammate Pere Pons came close to finishing off the rebound, only for Gerard Pique to clear his shot from the line.
The hosts lost defender Bernardo Espinosa to a second yellow card in the 52nd after he fouled Luis Suarez. But Girona still gave Barcelona trouble until coach Ernesto Valverde sent on Arthur for Arturo Vidal.
With Arthur helping in the midfield, Barcelona took control. Suarez then played Jordi Alba clear down the left, where the defender found Messi at the top of the box with only Bounou to beat.
Messi's goal was his competition-leading 19th of the season.
Messi was back in Barcelona's starting 11 after getting some rest in the previous two matches. He scored as a substitute in a 3-1 win over Leganes last weekend, and then was left off the squad in a 2-0 loss at Sevilla in the Copa del Rey.
Barcelona hosts Sevilla in the return leg of their cup quarterfinal on Wednesday.
What time does it start?
Girona vs Barcelona kicks off at 3:15pm (GMT) on Sunday 27th January.
Where can I watch it?
Girona vs Barcelona will be shown live on Eleven Sports 1 from 3:10pm (GMT).
Highlights will be on the Eleven Sports website after the match.
Player to watch…
Ivan Rakitic: The 30-year-old has been a mainstay in Barcelona’s midfield all season. The playmaker has only scored twice in the league, but his creativity has been integral to Barcelona’s impressive record. He may play alongside new signing Kevin-Prince Boateng in midfield.
Form guide…
Girona: DDDDLL
Barcelona: WLWWWL
Odds…
Girona to win: 7/1
Barcelona to win: 33/100
Draw: 17/4
Espanyol 1-2 Real Madrid
33 minutes
Baptistao, involved again, only half clears a cross and Vinicius picks up the loose ball. He picks out Benzema, who lays it off to Kroos on the edge of the box. The German's shot is wayward and flies harmlessly over the bar.
Espanyol 1-2 Real Madrid
34 minutes
Sergio Garcia is in the book for a late challenge on Ramos, who looks in pain. He's receiving some treatment from the physio.
Espanyol 1-2 Real Madrid
38 minutes
Real are dominating possession and have looked relatively untroubled since Espanyol's goal. They will know, though, that another goal is needed to make things more secure.
Espanyol 1-2 Real Madrid
41 minutes
Varane is forced into some defending as a long ball is played over the top. The Frenchman handles the danger with typical composure, despite the close attention of Borja Iglesias.
Espanyol 1-2 Real Madrid
45 minutes
Real take a quick free kick and Vazquez is released on the right. He plays a cross in the direction of Benzema, who can only guide his header wide of the far post.
Espanyol 1-2 Real Madrid
45 minutes
Two minutes of added time will be played.
GOAL! Espanyol 1-3 Real Madrid (Benzema)
45+1 minutes
Right on the stroke of half time, Benzema makes it 3-1. The Frenchman cuts in from the left, plays a one-two with Vinicius and slots the ball coolly into the bottom corner. That's his second of the game and it could put the game beyond Espanyol.
Half time: The referee brings the first half to a close. Benzema's two goals, and Ramos' header, have given the visitors a comfortable lead at the break. That goal right before the whistle might have knocked some of the stuffing out of Espanyol, who grew into the game after a poor start.
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