Barcelona subs torpedo Getafe

Goals from the benched duo of Lionel Messi and David Villa helped Barcelona defeat Getafe 4-1 at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez on Saturday evening.

In a first half that saw the teams exchange slight penalty appeals for handball offences, it was Barca who predictably dominated possession.

The visitors were unlucky to not take the lead through Thiago Alcantara, who first struck the crossbar and later brought a good save out of Moya.

However, they eventually did go 1-0 up, as Cesc Fabregas’ probing run into the box was taken over and side-footed into the net for the opening goal by full-back Adriano.

Tito Vilanova’s side struggled in the second-half to add to their advantage, before midway through seeing Pedro Rodriguez fouled in the box.

Lionel Messi, who had begun the game on the bench, stepped up to convert the spot-kick, before five minutes later netting a second from a Martin Montoya deflected cross to give the score-line a more comfortable appearance.

The Argentine’s double took his personal goal tally for club and country during the calendar year of 2012 to 61, beating his previous best annual total of 60, netted in 2010. 

Pablo Sarabia netted a quick response at the other end for Getafe, as his shot took a deflection off of two Barca defenders to beat Victor Valdes. The goal could be recorded as a Javier Mascherano own goal, though.

David Villa, also off from the bench, chested down a long ball into the area to finish low under Moya for 4-1 as the game entered stoppages.

Tags Messi Vilanova Villa
La Liga - Club News