Barcelona travelled to Celta Vigo on Sunday knowing that victory would stretch their lead at the top of La Liga to four points.
The home side enjoyed the better of the first period, but could not make the breakthrough in the opening half.
Both teams had chances in an end-to-end second half, but it was Barcelona that won it courtesy of a Jeremy Mathieu header 15 minutes from time.
Celta finished the game with 10 men after losing Fabian Orellana to a straight red card late on.
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 Balaidos as Celta Vigo welcome Barcelona. The home side will be keen to claim another scalp over Barca after winning at the Camp Nou earlier this season, but the visitors are currently on a very strong run of form.
First and foremost, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news.
TEAMS:
CELTA: Sergio; Mallo, Cabral, Fontas, Jonny; Augusto, Krohn-Dehli, Pablo; Orellana, Larrivey, Nolito
BARCA: Bravo; Alves, Mathieu, Pique, Adriano; Busquets, Iniesta, Rafinha; Neymar, Suarez, Messi
So there we have it. Despite scoring the winner against Levante last time out, Charles is back on the bench for Celta. Joaquin Larrivey is chosen as the lone forward, while there are also spots in the XI for Nolito and Fabian Orellana. Andreu Fontas starts against his former club, but Sergi Gomez is on the bench.
Barcelona, meanwhile, are without the injured Jordi Alba and suspended Javier Mascherano at the Balaidos. Adriano comes in at left-back, while Rafinha is given a spot in the middle of midfield. In attack, Neymar, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi all start following the international break.
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Celta are winless in four home league meetings with Barcelona – losing three times in the process. That said, as mentioned, Eduardo Berizzo's side did record a famous 1-0 victory at the Camp Nou in the reverse match earlier this season. Barca's last trip to this stadium ended in a 3-0 victory in October 2013.
Celta recorded a 1-0 win at Levante before the interval break, but it has been an up-and-down season. A total of 35 points from 28 games has left them in 11th position in the table, but they do not have any realistic chance of finishing in the top six or indeed seven. They have been capable of some excellent performances this season, but consistency has certainly been a problem this term.
Celta's home form this season has been fairly average, meanwhile, winning five of their 13 matches, drawing four and losing four. They have also managed four victories on the road, but have been beaten seven times and scored just 12 goals on their travels. It would not be much of a surprise if they pulled off a big result this evening, but then went and lost their next couple of games.
Barcelona, on the other hand, are absolutely flying. They have won their last seven games in all competitions and have their sights set on a treble this season. The Catalan outfit beat Real Madrid 2-1 in La Liga before the international break to open up a four-point gap at the top of the table, but that has now been cut to one point following Real Madrid's incredible 9-1 win over Granada earlier today.
Barcelona have lost twice at home in the league this season – against Malaga and Celta – but they have taken 36 points from their 14 home games. On the road, meanwhile, they have the best record in the league having won 10 of their 14 matches and lost just twice. Barca have also won their last five away league games – scoring four goals per game on average. The signs are not great for Celta here!
PREDICTION! Have a look at what I had to say about this game here...
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. Can Celta do the league double over Barcelona? We shall soon find out! The visitors get the first 45 minutes underway.
It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium this evening. As expected, Barcelona have made most of the early ground, with Messi already looking for Suarez inside the Celta box, but the striker cannot collect. I have a feeling that this could be a bit of a classic here.
Celta force the issue in a wide area as Nolito pulls away from Alves, but the Brazilian cannot find a cross and the danger is cleared. It has been a fairly low-key opening four minutes in Vigo.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the opening six minutes, but Celta have already shown a willingness to press high up the field. The home side have started with three forwards this evening, while it is also an attacking midfield. Brave move, but the press is working in the early moments.
Celta continue to force the issue as they work the ball from left to right, but a poor pass from Fontas allows Barcelona to gain a period of possession in the final third. Messi turns on the burners as he runs past two players, but Krohn-Dehli is on hand to make a vital challenge at a vital moment.
Better from Barcelona in the last couple of moments, but they are struggling to break that final line of defence here. We are still waiting for the first real opportunity of this La Liga affair in Vigo.
CHANCE! Celta come close to making the breakthrough as Larrivey fires one towards the bottom corner after turning inside the Barca box, but Bravo makes a really smart save.
Celta have been much the better team in the opening 12 minutes of this La Liga contest.
CHANCE! Barcelona come close to opening the scoring as Messi drives into the Celta box before curling one towards the bottom corner, but Alvarez is across to make a smart save. Neymar is first on the scene, but the Brazilian's effort is wide of the post. End-to-end football in Vigo!
You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital this evening. Celta are a team that feed on confidence and making the breakthrough would raise the atmosphere.
Suarez wants a penalty as he goes down inside the Celta box under contact from Cabral, but the referee is not interested. It was a poor touch from the Barca forward and he went down too easily.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of minutes with both sides guilty of some late challenges. Still no bookings in Vigo with 18 minutes on the clock.
Half-chance for the away side as Suarez pulls into a wide area before crossing towards Messi, but Fontas is on hand to make the clearance. Barcelona are just stepping up the pressure here.
Celta are working hard in their own half, but Barcelona are fully in control at the moment as they pass and probe outside the box. You just get the feeling that a first goal is coming for the visitors.
Suarez stings the palms of Alvarez after Celta fail to clear their lines. Barca are really threatening as they continue to pass and probe in dangerous areas, but it is still goalless in Vigo here.
BOOKING! Krohn-Dehli (Celta) is booked for pulling back Iniesta.
Barcelona are having to defend well at the moment as Celta threaten once again in a wide area, but there are no takers on Nolito's deep cross. The opening 26 minutes have just flown past here.
The Celta players are not too pleased with Neymar, who is adjudged to have thrown his elbow into the face of Mallo. However, there was not too much in it. It hasn't happened for Neymar thus far here.
Excellent goalkeeping from Bravo as the Barca stopper comes to challenge Nolito, who had broken into the box. Not sure about some of the defending there. Celta are causing problems at the moment as we approach the final 15 minutes of the first period. The visitors have not been great so far.
Celta always seem to play well against the bigger teams, but struggle in games that they should win. That says something about their attitude - it just isn't good enough against the smaller clubs.
Neymar is having an absolute shocker for Barcelona at the moment. The Brazilian has lost the ball every time that Barca have broken into the final third. Little over 10 minutes of the half remaining.
I should not think that Luis Enrique will be too pleased with what he has seen thus far here, with Celta causing a number of problems and Barca struggling to keep hold of the ball in the final third.
Pablo Hernandez wants a penalty as he goes down inside the Barcelona box, but it was a very good challenge from Adriano. The resulting corner is cleared, but the pressure continues from Celta.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Celta have the ball in the back of the net as Larrivey converts from close range, but Orellana was offside when he first made contact with the ball. Another warning!
Something needs to change for Barcelona here as Celta continue to look the better team. Alves attempts to combine with Messi in the final third, but it breaks down extremely easily.
CHANCE! Incredible chance for the home side as Orellana delivers a super cross into Larrivey, who has all sorts of space inside the Barca box, but his effort is high and wide. What a miss!
You just get the feeling that Celta need to score during this period of extended pressure.
BOOKING! Suarez (Barcelona) is booked for diving outside the box.
HALF-TIME: Celta 0-0 Barcelona
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two sides level at 0-0. Celta have been much the better team on their own patch, but have been unable to make the breakthrough despite a couple of excellent chances. Barcelona have been really laboured thus far at the Balaidos.
STATS! Barcelona have dominated the possession with 61%, while they have had three attempts - two of which have been on target. Celta, meanwhile, have hit the target with one of their three attempts. One look at the statistics will suggest that the visitors shaded the first period, but that is not the case. Celta have had the game's outstanding chance, with Larrivey firing over from close range.
BENCH WATCH! Celta boss Berizzo has plenty of attacking options on his bench tonight, with the likes of Bongonda, Charles and Santi Mina all capable of making a difference. Barcelona, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Pedro, Ivan Rakitic and Xavi. Will we see any changes at the break?
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Will we have a breakthrough in Vigo? Let's hope so! The hosts get the second 45 minutes underway here.
No changes from either side at the break, which is not too surprising at this stage of events. However, I suspect that alterations will occur if the score remains goalless for the next 15, 20 minutes.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Barcelona have the ball in the back of the net as Neymar curls a stunning effort into the bottom corner, but he was just a touch offside when he collected the ball.
Much better from Barcelona in the early stages of the second period, with Adriano forcing a corner following an excellent run. Celta might have to be preferred to do a lot of defending in this half.
Brave goalkeeping from Alvarez as the Celta stopper comes to clear an Iniesta cross, which had been lifted towards Pique. It is all one-way traffic as Barca threaten in the early moments of the half.
Half-chance for the home side as Mallo strikes one from outside the box, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Plenty happening in Vigo as this second period gathers pace here.
CHANCE! Super football from Barcelona as Iniesta finds Suarez, who delivers a near-post cross into Messi, but the Argentine's effort is wide of the post. Much better from the visitors.
Half-chance for the home side this time as Nolito cuts inside Alves before flashing a shot towards the bottom corner, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. End-to-end football here.
SUB! Barca make their first change as Xavi replaces Rafinha.
You just get the feeling that one goal would be enough to win this game. Celta have had plenty of chances, but you suspect that they might drop deeper as the second period gathers pace.
Messi comes close to collecting a slide pass from Neymar, but Castro just does enough to clear the danger. The pressure is building and there is still plenty of time remaining in Vigo here.
Suarez spins outside the Celta box before firing one towards the bottom corner, but his effort is deflected wide of the post. Good period of the game for Barca as they chip away here.
CHANCE! Incredible chance for Barcelona as the ball falls for Alves inside the Celta box, but his effort is horribly wide of the post. That is awfully poor from a player of his ability.
Barca again work the ball into a wide area before Neymar delivers, but Mallo is on hand to clear under pressure from Messi. Most of the pressure is coming from the visitors at the moment here.
Pass, pass, pass as Barcelona continue to dominate the ball, but Celta are quite comfortable here.
SUB! Celta make their first change as Krohn-Dehli is replaced by Radoja.
Xaxi turns on the edge of the Celta box before firing one towards the bottom corner, but his effort was always wide of the post. Still goalless as we approach the final 20 minutes of action here.
SUB! Celta make their second change as Charles replaces Larrivey.
CHANCES! Celta come close to finding the back of the net as Mallo curls one towards the bottom corner, but his effort is just wide. Moments later, Pique denies Charles with a stunning tackle.
GOAL! Celta 0-1 Barcelona (Mathieu)
Breakthrough Barcelona! Stunning header from Mathieu as the centre-back meets a super free kick from Xavi. Mathieu wanted it more than anyone else and headed past the goalkeeper.
SUB! Barca make their second change as Pedro replaces Iniesta.
Well, Celta have had plenty of this game tonight, but Barca lead as we approach the final 10 minutes. It would be a massive win in the race for the title there is absolutely no doubt about that.
Neymar, who has had a stinker tonight, fires high and wide of the crossbar from distance.
You just get the feeling that there might be one more goal in this match as the play continues to flow from end-to-end. Messi again feeds Neymar, but again the Brazilian is ruled offside.
Augusto Fernandez tries his luck from outside the box after finding a pocket of space, but his effort was always moving high and wide of the Barcelona crossbar. It is twitchy bum time here.
SUB! Celta make their final change as Mina replaces Hernandez.
Celta are turning the screw as Barca concede possession in a poor area, but Pique is once again on hand to clear the danger. You sense that there might be one more big chance in this game.
SUB! Barca make their final change as Rakitic replaces Suarez.
RED CARD! ORELLANA! Celta are reduced to 10 men as Orellana is sent from the field!
BOOKING! Orellana has seemingly kicked turf towards the face of Busquets. What a bizarre incident! Busquets has actually also been booked for that incident. Well, that is strange.
Orellana picked up the turf and threw it at Busquets. That is quite unbelievable!
CHANCE! Stunning chance for Messi to register for Barca after breaking through on goal, but the Argentine lifts his effort over the crossbar. What an incredible miss from the Argentine!
We are into the second minute of three added here.
Comfortable for Barcelona as they retain possession in the latter moments of this game.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Celta to grab a late leveller as Nolito drives into the Barca box, but Busquets is across to make a quite stunning tackle!
BOOKING! Nolito (Celta) is booked for dissent.
FULL-TIME: Celta 0-1 Barcelona
So there we have it. Mathieu wins it for Barcelona as the Catalan outfit move four points clear at the top of La Liga. It is harsh on Celta, who put up some fIght, but the points are heading back to the Camp Nou tonight. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!
