FC Barcelona 4-0 Getafe: Goalfest keeps Liga dream alive

La Liga is by no means over for FC Barcelona. Three comfortably earned points against an outplayed Getafe this Saturday mean that, at least for now, they have slipped above Girona into second and are now just five adrift of leaders Real Madrid.

Although those two sides have yet to play this weekend, Barça’s league position is looking a lot tastier than it did a few weeks ago. It’s still February, and if they can keep playing like they did today, there’s every reason to believe that we might end up seeing blaugrana ribbons on the trophy after all.

Confident win

Barça games have been nerve-rackingly tight of late, so it was a refreshing change to have one today in which they took the three points with relative ease.

Despite looking strong, there was just Raphinha’s goal to celebrate in the first half, but after João Félix and Frenkie de Jong had added their names to the scoresheet, the Estadi Olimpic crowd could relax and enjoy the rest of the show, which was topped off by a Fermin Lopez goal right at the end.

Raphinha opener

After 20 minutes of football with neither side particularly in control, Barça went ahead in the blink of an eyelid. Raphinha was on the end of a splendid long ball forward from Jules Kounde, and zapped in a tremendous left-footer to make it 1-0.

Curiously, the best two of Barça’s many other first half chances featured the Brazilian in almost identical positions, but the first was skied over the bar and in the second he opted to pass to João Félix, who failed to connect with what would have been a certain goal.

Game already over

Barça were ahead, but Getafe were doing enough to suggest that a one-goal lead might not be enough, even hitting the woodwork before João Félix got the all-important second early in the second half.

The Portuguese striker was ahead of the defence. All he needed was the ball, and Andreas Christensen was happy to oblige with a perfect pass.

With a two-goal cushion, things were shaping up very nicely indeed. Getafe weren't clicking at all, and were leaving all kinds of spaces open at the back. And Barça were happy to exploit every inch they were gifted...

Historic goal

Lewandowski had a goal called for offside, but there was nothing wrong with Frenkie de Jong’s effort moments later and that was game over.

And the Dutchman also goes down in the record books of Barça’s 11,000th competitive goal.

That pretty much drew an end to the day’s proceedings, and it was now just a question of how many goals Barça were going to win by. Chances there were aplenty, but in the end there was just the one right at the end.

San Mamés next

Vitor Roque’s original shot was knocked away by David Soria, but only as far as Fermin López, and that was 4-0.

A lovely day at the office for Barça, who can spend the rest of the weekend wondering whether their two main rivals in the title race might drop any more points.

It’s looking good for now, but a difficult test awaits next Sunday with a visit to in-form Athletic Club. That one starts at 9pm CET.