Barcelona welcomed Celta Vigo to the Nou Camp on Saturday looking to make it nine wins from their first 10 matches of the La Liga season.
They got off to the best possible start after 22 minutes when Adriano converted from close range, but Mario Bermejes levelled moments later.
In a pulsating period in the match, Barcelona were back ahead within two minutes, however, as David Villa tapped home from close range.
Meanwhile, it got worse for Celta mid-way through the second period when Jordi Alba made it three.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary below.
Hello all! We return to La Liga action this afternoon as Barcelona take on newly-promoted Celta at the Nou Camp. Can the away side pull off a shock result or will it be business as usual for the Catalan giants?
Teams:
Barcelona: Valdes; Alba, Busquets, Mascherano, Adriano; Iniesta, Xavi, Fabregas; Messi, Villa, Pedro
Celta Vigo: Varas; Mallo, Lago, Arceo, Oubina; Vila, Lopez, Fernandez; Aspas, Bermejo, Krohn-Dehli
Barcelona have won 10 of their last 11 matches in all competitions, with their singular draw coming against Real Madrid last month. There may have been changes at the helm of the club, but some things never change. Despite the season being only nine games old, they are the red hot favourites to secure the title this season.
The Catalan outfit have also won the last four meetings against Celta Vigo and in Cesc Fabregas they have a player very much in form. The former Arsenal man has scored five goals in his last six games and now looks the midfielder that we all know he can be.
That is in contrast to Celta who have managed just one win in their last five games in all competitions. Meanwhile, they have lost each of their five away matches this season. On paper at least, this result only appears to be heading one way.
Celta can boast recent success against Barcelona, however, with a 1-0 home victory over the Catalan club in 2004. But much has changed for both clubs since then. In truth, Celta's success this season will not depend on results against the very top teams in Spain.
Barcelona also boast the top scorer in the league this season in their Arsenal. Lionel Messi - who else?! - has 13 goals in the league thus far. The way that he has been playing lately you would not back against him extending that tally this afternoon.
Right, we are just about five minutes from kickoff. My prediction for the match is a 4-0 home win. I just do not see a way how Celta can win this match.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of kickoff. Let's hope for goals on this mild early evening in Spain.
Handshakes? Check. Flags exchanged? Check. Full stadium? Check. Let's get this La Liga encounter underway.
Here we go then. Barcelona get us underway and immediately take control of possession. It could be a long night for Celta.
Early attack for Barcelona as Villa finds Fabregas just outside the box, but the midfielder's shot is over the target. Warning sign for the away side there.
Again Barcelona attempt to find the opening goal as Villa searches for the run of Messi. However, the former's pass is just too long for his teammate. It's all one-way traffic in the early stages.
It's better from Celta as Aspas advances down the right before finding a dangerous cross into the box. However, Krohn-Delhi just cannot make contact and the ball drifts out of danger.
Still Barcelona flood forward in numbers as Iniesta searches out Pedro with a long pass. However, the Spanish winger just cannot collect possession. Celta have not had a sniff thus far.
Chance! Best opportunity of the match for the home side as Messi finds Iniesta on the edge of the box, but his effort is just over the crossbar. Meanwhile, Valdes has his first touch of the ball 11 minutes in.
Again Barcelona come close as Iniesta returns the favour for Messi, but Varas just does enough to quell the danger. As it stands, the opening goal appears to be on its way very soon.
The home side continue to pass and probe in the opposing half with Iniesta and Xavi enjoying possession of the ball. However, Celta do look a threat on the counter with Aspas and Bermejo. It's been an interesting start.
It is simply all Barcelona at the moment, but Celta continue to hang on. This time it is Iniesta who finds Fabregas in the box, but Lago makes a fine challenge to clear the danger.
Half-chance for Barcelona as Adriano drives a low cross into the penalty area, but the danger is cleared. Meanwhile, Messi is denied by Varas from close range. How are the home side not ahead?
Chance! Oh my word! Best chance of the match falls to the away side in the shape of Aspas, but the striker just cannot find a finish past Valdes. What a chance for Celta. He just had to score.
GOAL! Barcelona 1-0 Celta Vigo (Adriano)
Barcelona take the lead as Adriano converts a low cross into the corner of the net. In truth, it had been coming. The home side are on their way now.
Celta just cannot hang on as Barcelona take the lead. It could be a long night for them this evening. It is so important that they keep it tight for the next five minutes or so. The second could well kill the game.
GOAL! Barcelona 1-1 Celta Vigo (Bermejo)
Oh my word! Celta level as Mario Bermejo taps home from close range following a Valdes save. Did anyone see that coming? Wow!
I said they had to keep it tight, but they did the opposite and attacked. But then what do I know? We are level at the Nou Camp with 30 minutes approaching.
GOAL! Barcelona 2-1 Celta Vigo (Villa)
It is raining goals! Barcelona take the lead once more as Villa fires a low effort into the net following smart work from Iniesta.
What will happen now? Three goals in the last seven minutes. It has been some start at the Nou Camp. More of the same please in the latter stages of the half!
In fairness to Celta they are carrying a strong threat in this match. Barcelona are dominating possession as you would expect, but the away side are a real danger on the counter.
Fabregas and Xavi continue to enjoy plenty of possession in the middle of the park. However, a host of offsides has just slowed the match in the past few minutes.
It remains all Barcelona as they pass and probe in the Celta half. Meanwhile, the home side have a penalty claim turned down as Adriano is felled by Bermejo in the box, but no decision is forthcoming.
The match remains in a pattern of Barcelona dominating possession, but Celta breaking when they can. It has settled following that crazy period earlier in the half.
Half-chance for Celta this time as Aspas finds a low cross towards Lopez, but Mascherano clears the danger. This Barcelona side can be got at in defence. However, Messi breaks down the other end and just misses the target.
Early change for Barcelona as Adriano is replaced by Dani Alves. The Brazilian appeared to be carrying a knock. Not a bad sub to have I suppose!
Decent spell for Celta in the latter stages of the half as they control possession in the Barcelona half. However, they are finding it difficult to probe their way through the home side's defence.
Bright end to the half from Celta as they force a host of corners, but they come to nothing. Meanwhile, we will play just a singular minute of added time.
Barcelona 2-1 Celta Vigo
So there we have it. Goals from Adriano and David Villa hand Barcelona a 2-1 half-time lead over Celta Vigo. Meanwhile, the away side's tally was opened following a strike from Mario Bermejo.
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Let's take a look at some statistics from the opening half. Barcelona dominated possession with 68%, while they have had eight shots to Celta's four.
However, make no mistake about it Celta are still in this match. Barcelona are vulnerable in defence and it only takes one counter attack. Let's just hope the second period brings the same excitement. We will soon be underway.
Here we go then. Celta get us underway in the second period. The next goal will be all-important in this match. Stay with us for the remainder. Change at the break for Barca as Mark Bartra replaces Fabregas.
Chance! Oh my word. Glorious chance for Celta moments into the second period as Aspas advanced on goal, but he fired it wide of the target. It just had to go in.
Normal service has been resumed as Barcelona take control of possession in the opposing half. Meanwhile, they force a free kick just outside the box, but Messi fires wide of the target.
Again it's smart work from the home side as Alba combines with Iniesta down the left, but Lago is on hand to clear the danger. Laboured start to the early stages of the second period.
Barcelona continue to threaten as they force a corner down the left, but Celta clear the danger once more. Not a great deal happening in terms of chances at the moment.
Half-chance for the away side this time as Aspas strikes a low effort from outside the box, but Valdes is on hand to collect the danger. Little over 30 minutes of football to play at the Nou Camp.
We are just going to keep our eye on Messi for a moment. The Argentine appears to be struggling a touch. We will keep you updated. It is not like him to pick up an injury.
Still Barcelona probe and pass in the Celta half. However, chances are at a premium at the moment. The match is in need of a spark. The next goal is just so important in the context of the match.
GOAL! Barcelona 3-1 Celta Vigo (Alba)
Just as I say that Barcelona add their third with Alba dancing into the box before rounding the goalkeeper and converting from close range.
Well, that could be game over. It is difficult to see Celta coming back from this position. But we still have around 30 minutes of football to play.
Remarkably 11 players have scored for Barcelona this season. They are sharing the goals around in the early stages of the campaign. Meanwhile, they are dominating possession at the moment.
Celta remain a threat on the counter attack, but they just cannot find their elusive final ball. This one is over and it appears that every single person at the game knows it.
Meanwhile, change for Celta as Bermejo is replaced by Quique de Lucas. Little over 20 minutes of normal time to play. I am expecting more goals.
Half-chance for the away side as Lucas nips in at the far post, but Alba clears the danger. I said this was over, but a Celta goal in the next 10 minutes would make it very interesting.
Just a reminder that we have live coverage of Real Madrid versus Real Zaragoza following this match. Be sure to stay with us for that one. Meanwhile, Aspas comes close once more with a long-range effort for Celta.
Celta are playing the better football at the moment, but the final ball continues to elude them. It has been that kind of performance from the Spanish outfit. Meanwhile, Villa and Messi threaten on the counter.
Meanwhile, change for Barcelona as Alexis Sanchez replaces Villa. The Spanish striker has had a very good 78 minutes of football this evening. A goal and an assist.
Change for Celta as Lopez is replaced by Chu-young Park. Can the on-loan Arsenal forward inspire his team in the final 10 minutes?
Not a great deal happening at the moment. Both sides are exchanging possession but Barcelona are so comfortable. The match has been over since the third goal.
Barcelona continue to pass and probe as the final five minutes approach. It is going to be nine wins from 10 La Liga matches for Barcelona. That's some start.
Real concern here for Barcelona as Messi goes down holding his knee. He appears to have caused some serious trouble. The Argentine is not one to go down easily.
Messi is back on his feet. However, he does not look too happy. He will come off for the remaining two minutes. Meanwhile, change for Celta as Toni replaces Rodriguez.
Now Messi is back on. He wants to play the remaining moments of this match. That shows what type of person he is. We are just about to enter added time.
We are into the second minute of three added. Barcelona have possession of the ball and they are not giving it up. It has been another routine three points.
We are into the second minute of three added. Barcelona have possession of the ball and they are not giving it up. It has been another routine three points.
Barcelona 3-1 Celta Vigo
So there we have it. Barcelona record another three points with a 3-1 win over Celta Vigo. Thanks for joining Sports Mole and stay with us action from Madrid!
