Barcelona 2-0 Celta Vigo
This was Au Revoir 2018 in La Liga and the year will end as it began – with Barcelona on top.
The reigning champions didn’t have it all their own way against Celta Vigo in the Nou Camp but ultimately did enough and it means Ernesto Valverde’s men head into the winter break with a three-point lead at the summit.
Highlights of the game
As if to outline his attacking intentions, Ousmane Dembele had been caught offside inside the first minute and had the ball in the net a mere eight minutes later.
Lionel Messi’s shot was saved by Ruben Blanco but Dembele pounced and the hosts were ahead.
It was a blow to Vigo who had threatened early on themselves through Sofiane Boufal, whose shot was blocked, and Nestor Araujo.
This was considered by many as the battle of sharpshooters and SBOBET fans certainly expected goals with Messi, Luis Suarez, Dembele, Iago Aspas and Gomez et al all on the pitch.
Chances were few but both sides were certainly focused on the attack as Jordi Alba saw an effort blocked and Maxi Gomez tested Marc-Andre Ter Stegenwhose record in this fixture is one he’d rather forget.
Some of Barca’s play was a joy to watch – a must for any La Liga 2018 highlights –yet Vigo continued to pose a danger and Hugo Mallo had time to fire a shot wide.
The second goal the home side needed arrived on the stroke of half-time and ended the match as a contest.
Alba’s fine pass found Messi in space and the Argentine maestro continued his red-hot form by sublimely finishing from the edge of the box.
Into the second half and, while Vigo did little wrong, Barca had a clear edge.
The lively Boufal, on loan at the club from English Premier League side Southampton, saw another effort blocked as the visitors tried to gain a foothold back into the match but the loss of Aspas to injury moments later was a clear blow and, as the 10-goal danger man went off, so did their best chance of a goal.
Brais Mendez went close with a curling shot as the spirited Galicians continued to battle but there was a feeling their efforts were in vain.
Suarez’s shot then went wide after another fine ball from Alba as Barca went in search of a third goal.
Nelson Semedo, returning to the team following an injury, called Ruben into action, while the sight of Phillipe Coutinho warming up would have done little to lift spirits in the away ranks.
Still, Vigo battled as Robert Mazanand then Fran Beltran saw shots blocked and Beltran kept Ter Stegen alert with another left-footed shot.
Coutinho, on for Dembele, and Messi both had shots as the home side finished strongly and, while a third goal would have been harsh on the visitors, the best team clearly won the day.
Celta Vigo remain relatively comfortable in mid-table, closer to sixth spot and a European place than they are to the drop zone, but will need an improved second half of the campaign if they are to return to the Europa League next season.
They reached the semi-finals of the competition in 2017.
Key Statistics
The opener was Barcelona’s 101st league goal of 2018 – more than any other team in Europe’s big major leagues.
Messi, who added the 102nd, has now scored 15 goals in La Liga and is the division’s top scorer.
Messi is the only player from the top five European leagues to score 15 league goals or more in each of the last 11 seasons.
It takes his tally of career goals for Barcelona to 572.
Barcelona have now scored 19 more league goals (48) than the side nearest to them Sevilla (29) and twice as many as arch-rivals Real Madrid (24) – albeit having played one league fixture more than the Madrid giants.
Barcelona have now four league clean sheets in a row. They last conceded a goal against Atletico Madrid on November 24.
What’s next?
La Liga 2018 betting odds may change little during the winter break.
Barcelona are next in action against Getafe on January 6 and then travel to Levante four days later in the first leg of their last 16 match in the Copa del Rey.
The reigning champions then entertain Eibar on January 13.
Celta Vigo host Athletic Bilbao when they return to action on January 7 followed by another league clash, at Rayo Vallecano, four days later.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
