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Barcelona beat Girona 3-0 to maintain perfect start in La Liga

Associated Press, Girona | ByAssociated Press
Sep 24, 2017 09:09 AM IST

Barcelona increased their lead in La Liga to four points after Atletico Madrid beat Sevilla 2-0 to leapfrog the Andalucian club into second place

Barcelona were helped by two own goals from Girona as they eased to a 3-0 win and kept their perfect record in the Spanish league on Saturday.

Barcelona players celebrate aftyer scoring during the Spanish league football match Girona FC vs FC Barcelona at the Montilivi stadium in Girona on Saturday.(AFP)
Barcelona players celebrate aftyer scoring during the Spanish league football match Girona FC vs FC Barcelona at the Montilivi stadium in Girona on Saturday.(AFP)

Barcelona increased their lead in La Liga to four points after Atletico Madrid beat Sevilla 2-0 to leapfrog the Andalucian club into second place.

Barcelona went ahead at Montilivi Stadium when Girona defender Aday Benitez deflected Jordi Alba’s off-target shot back into his net.

Barcelona’s Luis Suarez and Aleix Vidal did more to help provoke a second goal three minutes after halftime, when Suarez deftly let Vidal’s dangerous short pass go through his legs, where it hit surprised goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz and went into the net.

READ | Real Madrid defeat Alaves in La Liga as Dani Ceballos scores a brace

Suarez capped Barcelona’s sixth victory in as many league matches — to go with a victory over Juventus in the Champions League — when he was left all alone to take Sergi Roberto’s lobbed pass and beat Iraizoz.

It was a second goal in six matches for Suarez, who missed two matches because of a right knee injury.

The decision by Girona coach Pablo Machin to man-mark Lionel Messi with Pablo Maffeo succeeded in preventing the Barcelona star from adding to his best ever start to a Liga. Messi scored nine goals in the first five rounds.

“Messi worked for the team,” Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde said. “I like the team spirit we are showing. We are mentally focused to get to work.”

Girona, which is playing in its first season in the top flight, was left in 15th place with just one win.

Barcelona visits Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League on Wednesday.

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Stay updated with the latest sports news, including latest headlines and updates from the Olympics 2024, where Indian athletes will compete for glory in Paris. Catch all the action from tennis Grand Slam tournaments, follow your favourite football teams and players with the latest match results, and get the latest on international hockey tournaments and series.
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