La Liga leaders Barcelona continued their domestic campaign at home to Eibar on Saturday evening.
Barca dominated possession in the first period, but could not make a breakthrough against the spirited visitors.
The home side finally opened the scoring on the hour mark through Xavi, before Neymar made it 2-0 after 72 minutes.
Lionel Messi then made it three for Barca, who are still yet to concede in the league this season.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Camp Nou as Barcelona welcome Eibar. Will this finally be the day that Barca concede in the league? It hasn't happened yet this season! Right, before anything else, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news.
TEAMS:
Barca: Bravo; Alves, Pique, Mathieu, Alba; Roberto, Mascherano, Xavi; Pedro, Messi, Neymar
Eibar: Irureta; Boveda, Albentosa, Ekiza, Abraham, Lillo; Garcia, Errasti, Capa, Lara; Berjon
So there we have it. Much-changed Barcelona XI this evening, with Sergi Roberto, Xavi and Pedro all coming into the team. Javier Mascherano will switch to the holding role in midfield due to the absence of Sergio Busquets, but Lionel Messi and Neymar both start despite their exertions for Argentina and Brazil respectively during the international break. As expected, Claudio Bravo continues between the sticks.
Eibar, meanwhile, have lined up as expected, with five defenders named in their XI. They have plenty of attacking talent in midfield, however, with Ander Capa and Javi Lara providing support to attacker Saul Berjon. There is also a start for Dani Garcia in a team that is set up mainly for the counter this evening.
As touched upon, last time out against Rayo Vallecano, Barcelona became the first team in the history of La Liga to keep seven clean sheets at the start of a Spanish season. They have scored 19 times in their seven matches and incredibly not yet conceded. When will that incredible record end? Tonight?
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As it stands, the home side currently top the table with 19 points, which is one more than second-place Real Madrid, who beat Levante 5-0 earlier this afternoon. Barca's home record against Basque sides is also exceptional, winning their last 20 games at the Camp Nou and keeping 11 clean sheets.
The statistics suggest that Eibar will have to score at least once if they are to take something from this match, with Barcelona scoring at least one goal in their last 55 home league games. They have drawn a blank just once this season, meanwhile, a goalless draw with Malaga last month.
Eibar, however, will enter this match full of confidence. They have lost just twice in the league this season, with nine points from seven matches leaving them in 10th spot in the table. Their record on the road is also respectable, with one win, one draw and one defeat from their three matches.
Eibar's defensive record has also been decent, with just seven goals conceded in their seven matches. On the road, meanwhile, they have conceded just twice. The newly-promoted outfit can also take heart from their performance at Atletico Madrid earlier in the season. They lost 2-1 at the Calderon, but gave the champions a real scare. They have nothing to lose at the Camp Nou this evening.
PREDICTION: Eibar have won a lot of supporters this season - and rightly so - but I am struggling to give them a chance of picking up a result this evening. Barcelona simply have too much quality in all areas of the field and therefore I am backing the home side to emerge 3-0 winners.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. Can Eibar cause a big shock this evening? Or can they at least end Barcelona's defensive run?!
The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. The home supporters expect this evening that is for certain. A victory would extend their lead at the top to four points over second-place Real Madrid. Right, the home side get the action underway at the Camp Nou.
As expected, the home side have taken control of the possession in the opening couple of minutes. It could be a long night for Eibar, who will surely spend long periods without the ball.
Eibar have set up in a 5-3-2 formation this evening, with their wing-backs playing as full-backs in the early moments. It has been all Barcelona in terms of possession, but no chances to speak of thus far. The hosts will need to be patient this evening, with Eibar set up to frustrate the Catalan outfit.
It's good work from Saul, as the EIbar forward wins a free kick from Pique. Lara delivers into the Barcelona box, but Ekiza can only clip his effort into the grateful arms of the waiting Bravo.
It has been a strong start from the visitors, as Ekiza takes possession away from Messi on the edge of his own box before sliding a pass into Lara, but the midfielder cannot find Saul. Eibar are more than prepared to break forward when the opportunity arises, but that will leave gaps in defensive areas.
Capa and Saul are both occupying Barcelona's centre-backs at the moment, which is hardly ever the case at the Camp Nou. Messi has a half-chance after dancing into the Eibar box, but Boveda is across to clear. The resulting corner is met by Pique at the near post, but his header moves high and wide of the crossbar.
Just a reminder that Lionel Messi is just three goals away (249) from breaking La Liga's all-time goalscoring record, which is currently held by Telmo Zarra (251). Anyone for a Messi hat-trick this evening? The Argentine has just started to enjoy more of the ball in the final third of the field here.
Well, 13 minutes in and Eibar can be pretty pleased with their performance thus far. Barcelona have had all the ball, but there have been very few chances to speak of. Still goalless here.
Eibar continue to defend the edge of their own box as Garcia comes across to challenge Alves, who had advanced into a dangerous position. The away side have a free kick in the Barcelona half moments later when Pique fells Capa, but the linesman raises his flag for offside and Barca regain the ball.
Barcelona have the chance to threaten from a free kick outside the Eibar box, but there are no takers on Messi's cross into the area. Eibar continue to commit numbers in the final third, but the visitors have been unable to seriously test Bravo thus far. Still Barcelona have not conceded in La Liga!
Half-chance for Barcelona as Alves finds some space down the right before delivering into Pedro, who takes one touch before striking towards goal, but his effort was always moving high of the crossbar. Still no clear chances at the Camp Nou, with Eibar more than holding their own after 19 minutes of football.
CHANCE! Messi comes close to opening the scoring for the home side following a mazy run and low cross from Neymar, but the Argentine cannot wriggle free under pressure from three defenders. Eibar continue to impress defensively at the Camp Nou as Barca turn on the style.
CHANCE! Another wonderful chance for Messi as the Argentine collects a pass from Alves before facing up to the Eibar stopper, but Irureta stands tall to make the save.
The home side have just started to raise the tempo in the last five minutes or so, with Eibar being forced to defend the edge of their own box. It appears that the opening goal will soon arrive...
Eibar just cannot get out of their own half at the moment as the home side continue to pass and probe in the final third. Messi combines with Alves before the Brazilian delivers into the box, but Boveda is on hand to clear. It is so tight in the final third, but Messi manages to flash another effort wide of the post.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of moments, with the referee on hand to deal with a number of late challenges. However, there have still been no bookings.
Still Barcelona cannot seem to undo this Eibar defence, which is under constant pressure at the moment. Alba delivers another dangerous cross into the away side's box, but Irureta is on hand to claim. The stopper attempts to release Capa down the other end, but the Spaniard cannot move away from Pique.
Roberto delivers a dangerous cross into the Eibar box, but once again the away side's goalkeeper is first to the ball, with Pedro failing to make contact. You just get the feeling that the visitors need to keep a clean sheet in the first period if they are to have a chance of causing a serious shock here.
It has been a frustrating half for Pedro thus far, with the Spaniard losing out to the Eibar defence each time he breaks into the final third. Barca again threaten when Alves fires one towards the bottom corner, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Still goalless with 34 minutes on the clock here.
Barcelona come once again down the left as Alba combines with Xavi before looking for Messi, who eventually delivers into the Eibar box, but Neymar is inches away from making contact.
Capa remains a willing runner for the away side and the Spaniard causes some panic between Pique and Mathieu, but eventually the home side do manage to clear the danger. Little over five minutes of the half remaining and Eibar can be very pleased with their performance up until this point of the match.
It must be said that there is not much of an atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment, with the home supporters frustrated as another attack breaks down with Neymar.
BOOKING! Neymar is booked for a late challenge on Garcia.
CHANCE! Oh my word. Wonderful chance for Eibar to take the lead as Pique switches off - allowing Capa into the Barca box. He rounds Bravo, but finishes wide of the post. What a big miss from the attacker. That is the clearest chance of the game by some distance.
Half-chance for the home side as Xavi strikes one from the edge of the box, but Irureta is down to make the save. Chances at both ends in the latter stages of the half, but neither are taken.
CHANCES! Messi meets a cross from Pedro, but his point-blank header is straight at the goalkeeper. Saul breaks into the Barca box down the other end, but Bravo makes the save. Oh my word. Bravo is earning his corn this evening that is for certain. Will Eibar be made to pay for those misses?
BOOKING! Lillo is booked after bringing Pedro to the ground.
HALF-TIME: Barca 0-0 Eibar
Well, this wasn't in the script! Barcelona have failed to break down Eibar in the first period, while the home side have had two glorious chances of their own. Little Eibar weren't expected to cause too many issues this evening, but they have been so very impressive in the opening half of football at the Camp Nou.
STATS! The home side have dominated the possession with 82%, while they have had nine attempts, three of which have been on target. Eibar, meanwhile, as mentioned, have had two attempts, one of which Capa put wide, before Bravo denied Saul. It has been a end-to-end half.
BENCH WATCH! Barca have a host of attacking options on their bench this evening in the shape of Iniesta, Rafinha, Munir and Sandro. Meanwhile, Eibar have the likes of Nieto, Boateng and Lekic in reserve. Both managers have the personnel to influence proceedings from the sidelines.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Barca have it all to do here. It is the away side that get the second 45 minutes underway at the Camp Nou.
No changes from either side at the interval, which is not much of a surprise at this stage of proceedings. However, I suspect that both managers will consider changes if the score remains level for the next 20 minutes or so. Can Eibar pull off one of the shocks of the season? Or century more like.
Half-chance for the home side as Pedro meets a loose ball on the edge of the box, but his effort is blocked by Boveda. Moments later, Barca have a free kick when Alves is felled by Lillo, but Pique heads the resulting set piece from Xavi over the crossbar. Better from the home side in the early moments.
More frustration for Neymar as the Barca attacker is adjudged to have taken a ride on the back of Boveda, who was defending his far post. Not too much from Eibar in terms of an attacking threat in the early stages of this half, but they remain tight in defensive areas. Still goalless with 52 minutes played in Barcelona.
Another half-chance for Pique as the centre-back meets a cross from Alves, but his header is high of the crossbar. The Barcelona defender has had a few of those this evening.
BOOKING! Lara is booked for pulling Neymar to the ground.
Roberto and Lillo both seem to have a problem here as the pair clash in the middle of the park. Iniesta is getting stripped and looks likely to replace the departing Roberto...
SUB! The change indeed occurs as Iniesta replaces Roberto.
Another free kick for Barca just outside the box as Garcia brings Mascherano to the ground. The resulting set piece is delivered by Messi, but Ekiza is on hand to clear once again.
SUB! Eibar make their first change as Piovaccari replaces Lara.
Little over 30 minutes of football remaining and still Barcelona cannot find a way through. Xavi finds Messi with a brilliant cross, but his effort loops into the arms of Irureta, who has been very good this evening. How long will Enrique leave it before making another change? He has plenty of options in reserve.
GOAL! Barcelona 1-0 Eibar (Xavi)
Breakthrough Barca! The home side have the lead on the hour mark as Messi spots the run of Xavi, who chips into the far corner. Brilliant run and brilliant finish from the Spaniard.
It is so very cruel on Eibar, who have been impressive this evening. However, that is the difference between the top teams and the rest - taking chances. Can Eibar survive the next round of attacks?
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Barcelona to make it 2-0 as Iniesta finds the run of Pedro with a brilliant pass, but his effort is straight into the arms of Irureta.
Lillo just needs to be a little careful here as he gets himself involved with Neymar following a challenge between the two players. Barca have another free kick from the resulting foul, but Xavi's delivery is cleared by Boveda. Eibar are still in this match at 1-0 there is no question about that.
Half-chance for Messi to open his account for the evening as the Argentine bundles his way into the box before trying his luck from a tight angle, but his effort is deflected wide.
Half-chance for Eibar on the counter as Federico Piovaccari breaks into the Barca box, but the Italian was falling as he struck his effort and Bravo is on hand to collect with relative ease.
SUB! Barca make their second change as Sandro replaces Pedro.
GOAL! Barcelona 2-0 Eibar (Neymar)
The home side have their second of the match and Neymar has his eighth league goal of the season as the Brazilian volleys a cross from Alves into the back of the net. Brilliant goal.
GOAL! Barcelona 3-0 Eibar (Messi)
Messi has his 250th La Liga goal as the Argentine combines with Neymar before finishing into the bottom corner with help from the post. Eibar have fallen apart in the last 15 minutes here.
SUB! Eibar make their second change as Boateng replaces Capa.
SUB! Barca make their third change as Munir replaces Neymar, while Eibar replace Saul with Nieto.
Oh, by the way, Barcelona still haven't conceded in the league this season and we are almost eight games in. Will that happen in the Clasico against Real Madrid next weekend? I bet it does. Munir has a half-chance for the home side after breaking into the box, but his effort is blocked by Lillo.
Eibar just cannot keep the ball at the moment as the home side continue to dominate proceedings in the final third. It would not be a surprise if there were goals in the latter stages here.
BOOKING! Iniesta is booked for a late challenge on Nieto.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, but the away side are enjoying possession in the Barcelona half. Little over five minutes of normal time to play.
Half-chance for the away side as Boateng throws himself at a free kick from Garcia, but Bravo is on hand to punch clear. Barcelona are down the other end moments later, but the referee is not interested in a fall from Messi, who did look to be clipped under pressure from Ekiza.
Half-chance for Messi to score his second as the Argentine turns outside the box before striking on goal, but his effort is straight down the threat of the goalkeeper, who makes the save.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes.
CHANCE! Eibar come close to ending Barcelona's clean-sheet run as Albentosa rises inside the box following a corner, but his header is just wide of the post.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Messi as the Argentine meets a clipped pass from Iniesta, but his header is straight at the goalkeeper once again.
FULL-TIME: Barcelona 3-0 Eibar
So there we have it. Barcelona extend their lead at the top of the table to four points following a 3-0 win over Eibar. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
