500th goal sends Barça through (0-4)

Roger Bogunyà

FC Barcelona have beaten Viktoria Plzen thanks to a Messi hat-trick and another from Cesc, and also made it to 500 goals in the Guardiola era and qualified for the second round of the Champions League.

FC Barcelona have broken plenty of records in a splendid victory at the Eden Stadium in Prague, and have also ensured passage to the last sixteen of the Champions League. The 4-0 win started with Cisovsky being sent off after committing a penalty that was subsequently converted by hat-trick hero Leo Messi, with Cesc Fábregas grabbing the other. Everything worked out right in the 200th game of the Guardiola era, with Messi scoring his 200th goal for the club and also the 500th since Guardiola became manager. Not only that, but Valdés broke the club record for not conceding a goal, young Cuenca was superb and laid on one of the goals and Alexis Sánchez finally appeared on the pitch once again.

The win means Barça are mathematically through to the last sixteen of the competition, and following AC Milan’s 1-1 draw in Minsk they are well on course for topping the group.

Valdés saves record

Like against Mallorca, Guardiola played with two wingers, Adriano and Cuenca, in order to break down the tight Czech defence. With Iniesta and Xavi on the bench, Cesc, Thiago and Messi played in the middle, but struggled to find their game in the early minutes, with Viktoria Plzen playing very orderly football and almost going into the lead following a speedy Ptrzela counter attack. But Valdés produced a wonder-save that meant he was able to go on and beat Miguel Reina’s legendary record. It was a stuttering start by a Barça team that wasn’t producing its characteristic combination plays.

Messi brace

A brilliant run by Messi undid all the good work by the home side at one stroke. The Argentinian was brought down in the area by Cisovsky, who was sent off for a tackle on the last man. Messi took the ensuring penalty, and with an extra man, Barcelona found themselves handsomely in command for the rest of the game. All Viktoria Pilsen could produce in return was foul after foul and they found it harder and harder to get the ball out of their half. As the half drew to a close, Messi added his second of the night to make it 2-0.

Cesc and Thiago looking fine

The second half started with a delightful move involving Messi and Cesc that ended with the latter’s shot skimming just wide of the post. Barça clearly weren’t satisfied with what they had achieved in the first half. Messi then brought out the best in Pavlik with a perfectly executed free kick, and as the win didn’t look to be in any doubt, the visitors were able to rest some players (Sergio, Alves and Abidal) and send on Keita, Maxwell and also Alexis, who was declared fit just moments before kick off. A brilliant assist by Messi was almost headed home by Thiago, but there would still be more chances.

Goal 500

Barça really wanted a third goal to make sure of the three points and finally got it following the umpteenth run down the wing by Barça B’s Cuenca, who delivered the perfect cross into the area, which was headed goalward by Cesc Fàbregas. And with the win settled, there was still time for some more magic with as Piqué backheeled the ball for Messi to score his second hat-trick in a row and the 500th of the Guardiola era. It was the perfect end to a perfect game that ensured Barcelona go into the next round with two games in hand.

Primordial points

Jordi Clos

Barça visit Viktoria in the Champions this evening (20.45, R@dio Barça) knowing that they could qualify for the second round of the competition and also edge closer to finishing top of their group. A special night for Guardiola, Valdés and Messi.

The second half of the Champions League group stage gets under way tonight with Group E divided in two. Barça and Milan are flying away with 7 points each, and in 22 days time, their meeting could well decide who finishes top of the group. Meanwhile, Viktoria and BATE Borisov have just one point each from the game the two teams drew. Tonight we have a meeting between Czechs and Catalans in Prague, while the Belarusians and Italians go head to head in Minsk. The two games could decide many different things.

A win would leave Barça all but mathematically qualified for the second round, while if BATE don’t beat Milan, then qualification would already be certain.

Important warning

Viktoria Plzen was always expected to be the weakest team in the group, but at the Camp Nou we show that they are certainly not just here to make up the numbers. The defending champions found their tight defence extremely hard to break down and the eventual win by 2-0 was in doubt until the very end. The Czechs will probably do something similarly defensive tonight, only this time with the home advantage.

It is harder to guess what kind of tactics Guardiola will go for. He has recently been switching between 3-4-3 and 4-3-3, sometimes midway through matches. This will also be conditioned by several returns from injury. Even Alexis Sánchez has travelled to the Czech Republic, even though he has not yet been declared fully fit after a month and a half on the sidelines. The only players that are definitely out through injury are Pedro and Afellay.

Record breakers

This is a particularly special night for three players: Pep Guardiola, Víctor Valdés and Leo Messi. The coach is on the bench for the 200 ^th time since taking over the first team. The goalkeeper is 38 minutes away from beating the all-time club record for minutes without conceding a goal, which is currently held by Miguel Reina. And the striker could score his 200 ^th goal for the club tonight. Without a shadow of a doubt, this is the night for breaking records.