Barca back on form in Granada rout

A hat-trick from Neymar, a brace from Lionel Messi and a goal from Ivan Rakitic gave Barcelona a stress-free win over Granada at Camp Nou.

Granada went to Catalonia having conceded only three goals all season but return home having let in double that amount, Barca recovering from an off night against Malaga by hitting the goal trail again.

Neymar netted his and Barca’s first after Hector Yuste played a blind ball across the pitch, 30 yards from his own goal, and the Brazil captain easily intercepted. Jean-Sylvain Babin stood in his way but was helpless as Neymar’s shot struck him and looped over Roberto.

Rakitic doubled the advantage minutes before half time after bursting into the Granada area to meet a Lionel Messi cross, diverting the ball into the far corner with an accurate header.

Neymar’s second came on the stroke of the interval after Messi sprung the Granada defence and Roberto rushed out to deal with the ball but spilled it, Neymar gobbling up with an emphatic finish.

Messi got in on the act at the culmination of a delightful move, Xavi Hernandez lofting a pass for the advancing Dani Alves, Alves in turn cushioning a pass across goal for Messi to head home. It was an aerial version of tiki-taka, route one the Barca way.

Neymar’s third came in more familiar fashion, Messi, Xavi and Neymar all involved before Messi cut the ball back to his fellow forward to complete his second Barca hat-trick.

Messi claimed a second after dispossessing Jeison Murillo on the edge of the Granada penalty area and coolly beating the beleaguered Roberto for his 400th goal for club and country.

Luis Enrique rang the changes, taking out Jordi Alba, Andres Iniesta and Pedro Rodriguez, for Adriano, Xavi Hernandez and Munir El Haddadi, while Dani Alves returned for Douglas. Granada meanwhile had Roberto in goal and Nigerian youngster Isaac Success in attack.

Granada had the first opening, Youssef El-Arabi striking the crossbar despite losing his footing, but Munir should have done better when presented with almost an open goal from Jeremy Mathieu’s knock-down after an Alves cross.

Messi did get the ball in the net but the assistant referee’s flag cancelled out the goal as Barca set about a period of dominance, though when the goal came it was a result of lax Granada play more than Barca brilliance. Yuste’s errant pass got the punishment it deserved as Neymar took over and converted via a Babin deflection.

Rakitic put daylight between the sides with his goal just before the break, Neymar adding gloss to the score moments before the whistle. Granada made two changes to start the second half and showed commendable endeavour, but Barca’s comfort was rarely challenged.

It was Barca who looked like getting the game’s fourth goal, Xavi’s free kick drawing a fine save from Roberto before Munir failed to test the goalkeeper after being fed by a surging Messi. Messi did it himself just past the hour after Xavi and Alves combined, with Xavi and Messi then involved in Neymar’s third goal of the game.

Roberto’s diving stop prevented Messi getting a sixth for Barca but was helpless when Murillo was robbed by the Argentine on the edge of the area, Messi clipping beyond the goalkeeper, but Barca’s dominance had been established well before La Pulga completed the rout.

Barcelona 6-0 Granada

Neymar 26, 45, 64, Rakitic 43, Messi 62, 82

Barcelona: Bravo; Alves, Mascherano, Mathieu, Adriano; Busquets (Bartra 64), Xavi, Rakitic (Sergi 58); Munir (Sandro 71), Messi, Neymar

Granada: Roberto; Nyom, Murillo, Babin, Foulquier; Iturra, Yuste (Eddy 46), Rico (Piti 46), Marquez; Success, El-Arabi (Martins 68)

Referee: Juan Martinez Munuera

Tags Ivan Rakitic Lionel Messi Neymar
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