Luis Suarez stars in Barcelona win

Madrid: Luis Suarez scored his first hat-trick for Barcelona as the Catalan giants crushed Cordoba 8-0 on Saturday to take another step towards La Liga title. Cordoba, who haven’t won since January, held out for 42 minutes, but a four-goal blitz in 11 minutes either side of half-time ended their return to the top flight after just one season.

 

Ivan Rakitic smashed home the opener in style before Suarez added the second with the final touch of the first-half. 

Lionel Messi, Suarez and Gerard Pique all then headed home before Messi had the simplest of finishes to roll in his 40th league goal of the season to move one ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo at the league’s top goalscorer.

 

Messi then allowed Neymar to convert from the penalty spot before Suarez completed his hat-trick two minutes from time. Victory takes Barca five points clear of Real Madrid.

 

Cordoba could yet be handed a reprieve from relegation should Almeria lose their appeal against the deduction of three points for unpaid transfer fees, or Elche face sanctions for overdue debts to the tax authorities.

 

Despite Wednesday’s looming meeting with Pep Guardiola and German champions Bayern Munich in their Champions League semi-final, first-leg, Luis Enrique named his strongest available side.