FC Barcelona 8-1 Cartagena: Top performance

The game between Barça, with 28 points, and Cartagena, with 25, was a must-win for two of the prime contenders for the championship, and the Catalans were just too good on the day for their guests. And that was without the services of the injured Pito, Ferrao and Antonio.

An incredible lightning hat-trick from Sergio González all within the space of little more than a minute was the highlight of the game, while Catela contributed a brace of his own and Ortiz, Matheus and Dyego helped Barça extend the lead on the second placed team, which is now Palma, who beat Betis today.

With just two games of the first half of the league programme remaining, Barça have a trip to Manzanares and then a home fixture against Inter to look forward to next.

MATCH STATS

Barça: Miquel Feixas, Adolfo, Lozano, Catela, Ortiz, Matheus, Dyego, André Coelho, Sergio González, Marcenio, Nico Marrón.

Cartagena: Raúl, Waltinho, Mellado, Jesús Izquierdo, Amin, Rocha, Lucao, Juanan, Pablo Gallego.

Goals: 1-0, Catela (min 12). 2-0, Ortiz (min 14). 3-0, Matheus (min 24). 4-0, Sergio González (min 34). 5-0, Sergio González (min 34). 6-0, Sergio González (min 35). 6-1, Waltinho (min 37). 7-1, Dyego (min 38). 8-1, Catela (min 39).