Leganes vs Barcelona. Spanish La Liga.
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Saturday 18 November 2017 18:33, UK
Barcelona extended their lead at the top of La Liga to seven points after two goals from Luis Suarez helped fire them to a 3-0 win at Leganes.
Ernesto Valverde's side struggled to create openings against their well-organised opponents but grabbed the breakthrough in the 28th minute. Paco Alcacer's cross-shot was parried by goalkeeper Ivan Cuellar and Suarez pounced to net the rebound from close range.
Barca doubled their lead after 60 minutes when Alcacer's strike was blocked by Cuellar and Suarez again reacted sharpest to acrobatically rifle his effort into the net.
The league leaders added a third goal in the 89th minute when Lionel Messi flicked the ball into the path of Paulinho and the substitute poked his effort home.
It was a subdued start from Barca in the first half-hour, but the unbeaten side punished their opponents after Cuellar failed to hold on to Alcacer's delivery. Suarez took advantage of the mistake and tucked the ball into the unguarded net.
Leganes almost equalised before the breakthrough through captain Alexander Szymanowski but his shot was pushed to safety by Barca 'keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
The hosts spurned a big chance to level the contest early on in the second half when Nordin Amrabat released substitute Claudio Beauvue and his low strike was too close to Ter Stegen.
Without hitting top gear, Barcelona extended their lead after the break as Suarez scored his fifth league goal of the season. Alcacer's shot was blocked by Cuellar but the Uruguay striker hooked the rebound effort past the 'keeper.
Messi almost scored in the closing stages but his shot was parried by Cuellar and the Leganes 'keeper recovered superbly to deny Suarez a hat-trick from his follow-up strike.
Barca rounded off the scoring late on after Messi managed to flick the ball from on the ground to Paulinho and the Brazil international toe-poked his effort past Cuellar.
"Suarez? We need his goals, as well as those of Messi, Alcacer and others, such as Paulinho.
"We already know our forwards always relate well with our opponents' goal and that sooner or later, the goals will come.
"Now people will calm down about Suarez. We'll see what happens next."
It has been a difficult season for the former Liverpool forward but Suarez proved the difference between the sides. Despite appearing to hurt his knee early on, the Uruguay striker overcame any fitness concerns and produced two clinical finishes for the goals.
Suarez looked hungry against Leganes and the 30-year-old almost completed his hat-trick after being denied late on by Cuellar. One of his most effective performances of the campaign and a promising sign for the months ahead.
Barcelona head to Italy on Wednesday night for a Champions League group match against Juventus. Their next La Liga game is at second-placed Valencia on Sunday night, a match which is live on Sky Sports Football.
Leganes are away to Celta Vigo in their next fixture on Friday night, which is also live on Sky Sports Football.
