Barcelona Vs Racing Santander: Under-Par Barcelona Still Far Too Good For Racing

This was not Barcelona at their mesmerising best, but they never had to be against a spirited yet limited Racing Santander. When Pedro gave Barcelona the lead after two minutes, you thought Barca would go on to knock six or seven past Toño. Racing improved as the match wore on, especially during a ten minute spell just after half time when they threatened to pull a goal back through Kennedy, but as ever Barcas class was too much for their opponents.

Leo Messi was the creative force behind Pedros opener, exchanging passes with Iniesta in the box before chipping over Toño. The ball appeared destined for the net, but Pedro made sure, chesting in on the line. Racing claimed offside, and the replays proved Pedro was slightly ahead of Messi when the Argentine chipped over the keeper, but the goal stood. His 11th of what is turning out to be a great season for the man formely known as Pedrito.

The expected avalanche of goals never materialised. Villa was tripped in the box on the half hour, Messi slotting the penalty nonchalantly past Toño, and while Barcelona created a whole host of chances it remained 2-0 at the break. Racing enjoyed a lively spell just after the break, no doubt determined not to become yet another victim of a Barca thrashing, but while they came close to pulling a goal back, it was Barcelona who put the game to bed in the 56th minute.

Villa laid the back to Pedro, who summoned up an extraordinary backflick to Andres Iniesta, who fired in from just inside the area. It was then a case of Barca keeping possession for the last 30 minutes, as Racing just wanted to get out of the Camp Nou without conceding five or six. As it was, Toño produced a string a fine saves to keep the score respectable.

The 3-0 win moves Barca seven points ahead of Real Madrid, with the only worry for Pep Guardiola will be an injury to captain Carlos Puyol who had to be replaced at half-time with a knee problem.