Barcelona travelled to the Ipurua Municipal Stadium on Sunday afternoon knowing that a win against Eibar would take them 11 points clear at the top of La Liga.
The visitors took an eighth-minute lead through Munir El-Haddadi, before Lionel Messi struck late in the half to hand Barcelona a comfortable advantage at the break.
Messi then added his second from the penalty spot in the 76th minute, before Luis Suarez made it four late on.
Relive Sports Mole's live minute-by-minute commentary of the action below.
2.01pmAfternoon all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Ipurua Municipal Stadium as out-of-form Eibar welcome the league leaders Barcelona, who set a new Spanish unbeaten record on Thursday night when they thumped Rayo Vallecano 5-1 in Madrid. Indeed, it is now 35 games in all competitions since Barcelona tasted defeat and Eibar will be the latest team to try and stop this machine!
2.04pmEibar against Barcelona is actually a fixture that has only ever taken place on three previous occasions in Spain's top flight. Barcelona recorded a 3-0 victory at Camp Nou when the pair met in October 2014 and they were also 2-0 winners in this very stadium last season. There has already been a Camp Nou clash between the two teams this season and it was Barcelona that claimed a 3-1 win.
2.07pmBorja Baston actually sent Eibar into a 10th-minute lead at Camp Nou earlier this season, but a hat-trick from Luis Suarez saw the Catalan outfit collect all of the points. Barcelona's unbeaten run is going to come to an end at some point – it has to – but it is difficult to imagine Eibar, who are on a rotten run of form at the moment, being the team to spoil the party for Luis Enrique's side.
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2.10pmRight, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from the Ipurua. How many changes have both managers made from their mid-week games? Let's find out...
2.13pmTEAMS:
EIBAR: To follow.
BARCA: Bravo; Alves, Mascherano, Pique, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Turan; Messi, Suarez, Munir
2.16pmStill waiting on the confirmed Eibar team news, but as for Barcelona, Brazilian forward Neymar misses out through suspension, while Rafinha and Adriano are still both injured for the Catalan outfit. Dani Alves returns to the XI following a one-game suspension, however, and Jordi Alba is also back at left-back after being rested against Rayo. Sergi Roberto and Jeremy Mathieu both drop out, while Arda Turan, fresh from his first Barcelona goal, replaces Andres Iniesta in the middle of the park.
2.19pmTEAMS:
EIBAR: Riesgo; Capa, Ramis, Pantic, Junca; Escalante, Garcia; Radosevic, Adrian, Enrich; Baston
BARCA: Bravo; Alves, Mascherano, Pique, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Turan; Messi, Suarez, Munir
2.22pmEibar have been so kind as to release their team to the world. Defender Lillo Castellano misses out for the home side this afternoon through suspension, while Keko remains on the sidelines with a muscular problem. Mauro dos Santos and Saul Berjon are only on the bench, meanwhile, with Borja Baston and Sergi Enrich both starting. Antonio Luna is also fit enough for a place in the squad.
2.25pmThe two teams are in and we are around 35 minutes from kickoff on this mild afternoon in the Basque country. I shall speak about record-breaking Barcelona a little bit later, but let's start with Eibar, who have lost six of their last seven in the league – including a 1-0 defeat at Sevilla on Wednesday.
2.28pmMany predicted Eibar to struggle this season after actually ending the 2014-15 campaign in the relegation zone, only to be re-instated in place of Elche, who dropped out of the top flight following financial problems. The Basque club have been in and around the top half of the table all season, however, and they are fortunate that they already have a strong points return at this stage.
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2.32pmIndeed, Eibar's record of 10 wins, six draws and 11 defeats from their 27 league games this season has brought them 36 points and eighth position, which is impressive at this stage. They are currently 10 points clear of the relegation zone, but will be wary of their poor recent form. Their last league win, however, did come in this stadium – 2-0 against basement side Levante on February 14.
2.35pmSince then, Jose Luis Mendilibar's side have lost at Celta Vigo and Sevilla and also at home to struggling Las Palmas last time out. There will be some concern over their recent form, but the Armeros face Rayo Vallecano and Getafe in their two matches after this one and will be confident ahead of both of those. That said, their first two league games next month are against Villarreal and Real Madrid.
2.38pmBarcelona, meanwhile, will enter this match eight points clear of second-place Atletico in the table and nine points clear of Real Madrid, with a game in hand over Los Blancos, who put even past Celta Vigo on Saturday. As mentioned, on Thursday, Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick in a 5-1 victory at Rayo Vallecano, which saw the Catalan club make it 35 games unbeaten in all competitions.
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2.42pmThat record-breaking run of form stretches back to the start of October 2015, when they lost at Sevilla in the league. Since then, they have opened up a healthy lead in the league, won the Club World Cup, made the Copa del Rey final and put themselves on the cusp of the Champions League quarter-finals once again. It is so difficult to see where their next defeat is coming from!
2.45pmWith all respect to Eibar, Barcelona will fancy their chances of winning this match and next up is a home game against Getafe, which should also bring all three points. Then comes the second leg of their last-16 Champions League clash with Arsenal – holding a 2-0 lead – before they travel to Villarreal on March 20 and welcome Real Madrid at the start of April, which are two massive games.
2.48pmRealistically, Barcelona would need to fall off the face of a cliff in the final weeks to allow Atletico and Real Madrid a sniff of taking control at the top. It seems ominous that another La Liga title will arrive and it is also difficult to look past Enrique's team in the Champions League. How do you stop a team that have Messi, Suarez and Neymar in the final third?! I think the simple answer is that you don't!
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2.51pmEibar can potentially take heart from the fact that both of Barcelona's league defeats this season (Celta Vigo, Sevilla) have come on their travels, but they have won nine of their 13 away games in the league and have scored 26 times in the process. With Atletico not playing until tonight – when they travel to Gary Neville's Valencia – it is the perfect chance to pick up another three points.
2.54pmPREDICTION! I have to back Barcelona this afternoon. The absence of Neymar is far from ideal, but they still have more than enough quality to beat this Eibar team. I do not think it will be comprehensive - far from it in fact - but I am backing the visitors to record a comfortable 2-0 win.
2.57pmA reminder of the two teams this afternoon...
EIBAR: Riesgo; Capa, Ramis, Pantic, Junca; Escalante, Garcia; Radosevic, Adrian, Enrich; Baston
BARCA: Bravo; Alves, Mascherano, Pique, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Turan; Messi, Suarez, Munir
0 minKICKOFF! Here we go then - both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. Can Eibar end Barcelona's long unbeaten run? We shall see! It is the away side that kick things off in London...
2 min... you just get the feeling that Eibar will need to get through the opening 10, 15 minutes without conceding if they are to stand a chance of taking anything from this match. Barcelona are like a machine at the moment - churning out win after win. As expected, they have the early possession.
4 minNot an awful lot to report in terms of attacking football in the early moments, but Barcelona have dominated the ball since the first whistle. This could be a long afternoon for the home team!
5 minBOOKING! Radosevic (Eibar) is booked for handball just outside the box.
7 minIt must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment and why not? For so long Eibar could not host the likes of Barcelona, but they are now part of the elite. We are still waiting for the first real chance of this match, but the visitors are in complete control.
8 minGOAL! Eibar 0-1 Barcelona (Munir)
9 minThat did not take long! Barcelona have the lead in the eighth minute as Suarez delivers a super cross into Munir, who cannot miss from close range. No Neymar, no problem for the visitors!
11 minCHANCE! Suarez's movement is too sharp for the Eibar back four and an Alba pass sets the striker away, but his effort from a wide angle is wide of the post. Eibar just have not been able to settle in terms of possession and they cannot seem to get out of their own half at the moment.
13 minCHANCE! Radosevic stands a beautiful cross up towards Ramis, but the Eibar centre-back heads over the crossbar. That is better from Eibar, who are struggling at the moment!
15 minJust a reminder that a win for Barcelona would take them 11 points clear of second-place Atletico Madrid, who travel to Valencia tonight. With all respect to Eibar, it is very difficult to imagine Barcelona not picking up all the points here. They are just utterly dominating this game at the moment.
17 minEibar just need a two/three-minute period of possession here, but Barcelona are first to everything all over the park. The referee has allowed the game to flow in the opening 17 minutes, which is not going down well with the home supporters following some late challenges. High-tempo match!
19 minEibar are playing a very high line here, which is so dangerous against Barcelona. Alves again breaks down the right before delivering towards Messi, but the ball runs away from the Argentine.
21 minHalf-chance for the home side as Juanca meets a loose ball outside the Barcelona box, but his volley was always moving wide of the post. A little better from Eibar in terms of possession!
23 minPass, pass, pass from Barcelona as they attempt to test the fitness of their opponents.
25 minYou just get the feeling that Eibar have to score the next goal in this match if they are to stand a chance of securing a positive result. Barcelona's back four can be exploited, but not at 2-0 down. The home supporters are doing their best to raise the atmosphere as their team enjoy possession.
27 minDesperate defending from the home side at the moment as Juanca manages to clear a deep cross from Turan, with Messi and Suarez both waiting. Barcelona are taking it up a few gears now!
30 minSlightly untidy period of the match in the last few minutes, with the referee forced to intervene following a couple of late challenges. Celta Vigo played very well for 45 minutes against Real Madrid yesterday and ended up losing 7-1 - I am worried that Eibar will ultimately run out of legs here.
32 minThe offside flag saves Eibar as Suarez just goes too soon after a one-two with Messi. Munir has not been too involved since opening the scoring, but he is always in and around the Eibar goal. Pique is forced into a race with Enrich down the right and the centre-back is across to make the challenge.
33 minCHANCE! Super chance for Barcelona to make it 2-0 as Messi scoops a pass into Munir, but the striker misses the target from close range. He might well have been going for the cross!
33 minCHANCE! Escalante comes close for Eibar this time, but the midfielder misses the Barcelona target from close range. Should have done better from an excellent Juanca cross!
36 minMuch better from Eibar in the last couple of minutes as they continue to bite into challenges, but Barcelona have so much space when they manage to counter-attack. A second goal for the visitors at this stage of the match would be an absolute killer. Around 10 minutes until the half-time break.
38 minRamis does well to win a header at the far post after Garcia had played a long pass into his centre-back, but Bravo is on hand to claim. Much more of an even game at this stage of the match.
41 minCLOSE! Oh my word! Barcelona are stretched and Eibar again come close to an equaliser, but Enrich's low cross deflects off Busquets and just wide of the away side's goal!
42 minGOAL! Eibar 0-2 Barcelona (Messi)
43 minKiller blow for Eibar! Barcelona have their second in the 42nd minute as Messi drives into the Eibar box before rolling one into the bottom corner. It is just excellent from the Argentine once again.
45 minHALF-TIME: Eibar 0-2 Barcelona
3.46pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Barcelona leading 2-0 courtesy of goals from Munir and Messi. The opener came in the eighth minute, before Messi hit a second for the visitors in the 42nd minute. Eibar have had their moments in the final third of the field, but have left too much space down the other end, which is always dangerous against Barcelona!
3.51pmSTATS! Barcelona have utterly dominated the possession with 74%, while they have had four attempts - two of which were on target. Eibar, meanwhile, have had three attempts, but not yet managed to test Bravo. Just the one yellow card and that was an early one for Eibar's Radosevic.
3.56pmBENCH WATCH! Eibar boss Mendilibar has a number of attacking options on his bench this afternoon, with the likes of Berjon, Inui and Luna all capable of making a difference. Barcelona, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Iniesta, Roberto and Vidal. Will we see any changes at the break?
4pmWhen will this man's team be beaten? Enrique seems invincible at the moment!
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46 minRESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Eibar find a route back into the match? It will be tough! The home side resume the action here...
47 min... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period gathers pace here.
49 minNot an awful lot to report in terms of attacking football in the early stages of the second period, but Barcelona, as expected, are in control of the possession. There has only been one yellow card this afternoon but I suspect that number will rise as the players start to react a little bit slower!
49 minBOOKING! Suarez (Barcelona) is booked for a challenge on Juanca.
51 minAlba is the offer down the left and Munir finds the Spaniard with a super pass, but Capa is back to make the block and prevent the ball reaching Messi inside the Eibar box. Little bit stop-start at the moment as the referee blows his whistle for late challenges and a couple of offside calls.
53 minBarcelona continue to find space in the wide positions, but Alves cannot find a teammate and Eibar have the chance to break. It does not last, however, as Mascherano pops the ball back to Bravo.
54 minSuarez races away down the right and passes into Messi, but the Argentine's first touch is actually a little heavy and Pantic is on hand to clear the danger. Poor touch from Messi - you heard it!
56 minMessi has another half-chance for Barcelona after another excellent pass from Suarez, but the Argentine is put under pressure from Capa and his effort is wide of the post. Pressure is growing!
58 minLittle over 30 minutes of this La Liga match remaining and Barcelona still lead 2-0 courtesy of goals from Munir and Messi. As it stands, the visitors are moving 11 points clear at the top of the table, but Eibar will feel that if they can get one goal back, it might be an uncomfortable end to the match.
61 minIn truth, not too much has happened in this second period and Barcelona will not be overly concerned with the slow tempo. As far as they are concerned, the job is being done at the moment.
63 minEibar are growing in confidence due to some sloppy passing from the away team, but Turan wins a free kick from Capa and eases the pressure with 63 minutes on the clock here.
65 minThe home supporters are doing their best to raise the atmosphere inside the stadium, but Barcelona are just so comfortable at the moment. The visitors are playing in first or second gear!
66 minEnrich sets the ball back to Adrian, but his effort flies over Bravo's goal and into the stands.
68 minPass, pass, pass from Barcelona as they regain control of the possession, but Suarez cannot feed Munir in a dangerous position and Eibar can resume the action from the dead-ball line.
69 minEIBAR SUB! Berjon replaces Baston for the home team.
70 minBOOKING! Ramis (Eibar) is booked for a late challenge on Messi.
71 minMessi has a go from the resulting free kick, but his effort is straight at Riesgo.
74 minLittle over 15 minutes of football remaining and there has hardly been a chance of note in this second period. Barcelona are not overly concerned with going and grabbing a third here.
75 minPENALTY BARCELONA!
76 minBarcelona have a penalty as Ramis is penalised for handball inside the box.
76 minGOAL! Eibar 0-3 Barcelona (Messi, pen)
77 minStraight down the middle for Messi and that is very much game over here!
79 minBarcelona have been very comfortable this afternoon it must be said. Eibar have had some decent moments on home soil, but they have never really threatened to hurt the away side here.
81 minBARCA SUBS! Roberto, Bartra and Vermaelen replace Turan, Busquets and Pique.
83 minWith all due respect to Getafe, Barcelona will expect to pick up another three points in the league next weekend and it is just impossible to see the Catalan side not winning the title from this position.
83 minBOOKING! Garcia (Eibar) is booked for a late challenge on Messi.
83 minBOOKING! Mascherano (Barcelona) is booked for a late challenge on Enrich.
84 minGOAL! Eibar 0-4 Barcelona (Suarez)
85 minIt is four for Barcelona as Suarez puts the ball through the legs of Capa before finding the back of the net. It is tough on Eibar, but Barcelona have always had other gears to find here.
86 minEIBAR SUB! Hajrovic replaces Escalante for the home team.
88 minThe home supporters are still full of noise, which is excellent to see. Eibar have really struggled to match Barcelona this afternoon, but they are not the first team to find that this season.
90 minEIBAR SUB! Inui replaces Enrich in Eibar's final change.
90 min+1Two additional minutes to be played here.
90 min+2SAVE! Riesgo keeps out Roberto from close range.
90 min+3FULL-TIME: Eibar 0-4 Barcelona
4.49pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Barcelona running out 4-0 winners at out-of-form Eibar to move 11 points clear at the top of La Liga. Who will stop them?! Now 36 games unbeaten! Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Until next time!
