Alavés 0-5 FC Barcelona: Ending on a high

Barça had all of the possession in the opening exchanges of a match that was played in bright sunshine and 31 degree heat at the Estadio Mendizorroza.

On three minutes, Riqui Puig was the first to go close as he let fly from 30 yards only to see his shot cannon back off of the crossbar. Manu Garcia skied a chance when well-placed for the hosts, with Ansu Fati also going close at the other end shortly after.

Sensational

With only 12 minutes played, Arturo Vidal was next to hit the crossbar, with Leo Messi, looking for a record seventh Pichichi award, finding the outside of the post on the quarter hour.

Consistent pressure eventually brought its reward as a fine move ended with Messi crossing to Ansu Fati who made no mistake with a close-range volley on 23.

The assist was the Argentinian’s 21^st of the 2019/20 season, breaking the all-time LaLiga record that he’d shared with former team-mate, Xavi. Messi soon bagged his 24^th goal of the campaign just after the first drinks break thanks to a Puig assist as the visitors continued on the front foot.

Aplomb

A sensational third from Luis Suárez with Barça’s 10^th shot on target - compared to none for Alavés – saw the half end as it had begun.

Just a minute after the break, Clément Lenglet had to be substituted, Vidal deputising with aplomb in his place at centre-back. His replacement, Nélson Semedo, slammed home Barça’s fourth, and his first of the campaign, on 56.

Sumptuous

The game then took on the air of a training match as both sides appeared happy to knock the ball around with ease but without over-exerting themselves.

With 15 minutes left to play, Jordi Alba’s sumptuous cross was swept home by Messi. Right at the death, Martin Braithwaite, on as a sub for Ansu Fati, was inches wide with a cross-shot as Barça ended their league season on a high.