Thaindian News

Madrid, Nov 20 (IANS) Barcelona capped their two-week break with a comfortable 4-0 win over Zaragoza in Spanish La Liga football here at the Camp Nou stadium. Real Madrid beat Valencia 3-2 to continue as league leaders.

Barca continued their prolific home form thanks to goals from Gerard Pique, Lionel Messi, Carlos Puyol and David Villa here Saturday night.

Pique opened the scoring for the Catalan side in the 18th minute with a close range header following Xavi’s curling free kick. Pique lost his marker and only had to nod the ball past Zaragoza keeper Roberto Jimenez from the edge of the six yard box.

The Zaragoza keeper was in scintillating form as he produced a double save to deny Messi and Alexis shortly afterwards and also parried a Maxwell drive as the Barca took control.

Messi saw another shot blocked before doubling Barca’s lead three minutes from halftime following a flowing passing move from his side. Once the ball reached Messi turned the defender before beating Roberto with a left foot shot.

Puyol scored Barca’s third from close range eight minutes into the second half. The club captain scrambled the ball into the back of the net after Seydou Keita had nodded down a cross from the left.

Villa came off the bench to make it 4-0 15 minutes from time with a diving header from a Cuenca cross.

Results of Saturday matches:

Valencia 2 (Soldado 75, 83) Real Madrid 3 (Benzema 20, Sergio Ramos 72, Cristiano Ronaldo 79)
Villarreal 1 (Borja Valero 21) Real Betis 0
Barcelona 4 (Pique 18, Messi 43, Puyol 54, Villa 75) Real Zaragoza 0