Match-Report: 25/01/2006 La Liga, Match Day 21
RCD Mallorca - FC Barcelona 0:3 (0:1)

Estadio Son Moix, Palma de Mallorca – attendance:30.000


0:1 Giuly ´38
0:2 Messi ´78

0:3 Messi ´82


FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Victor Valdés – Oleguer (Gabri ´83), Marquez, Puyol, Sylvinho – Van Bommel (Iniesta ´54), Edmilson, Deco, - Giuly, Larsson (Messi ´74), Ronaldinho
Barcelona's grip on the Spanish title shows little sign of loosening after another classy display saw them cruise past Real Mallorca 3-0. With Valencia drawing and Osasuna losing at home, the win stretches Barça's lead at the top to 12 points and banished any thoughts of a dip in form following the midweek Cup defeat. With Giuly, Deco and Puyol back in the starting line up, Rijkaard's team put in an impressive performance, with the injection of Leo Messi in the second half providing the icing on a very solid cake. Frank Rijkaard's side were always in control of the game once Ludovic Giuly had beaten the off-side trap by a fine pass from Deco and given Barça the lead in the 38th minute with a cool finish. Deco was back at his best in winning and distributing the ball throughout the game on his return from suspension. But it was classy substitute Lionel Messi who finished off Mallorca. The Argentine whizz-kid scored two beautiful goals within 4 minutes and showed that he can make a difference any time he comes on. First he played a one-two with Sylvinho and forced his way into the box before firing the ball into the net close to the right post. Almost immediately afterwards he had another 100% sitter when Giuly set him up, but he shot high over the empty goal. His second wasn't much longer in coming though at the 82nd minute after good work from Ronaldinho. He took Ronnie´s ball in his stride before providing a fine dinked effort over goalkeeper Miguel Angel Moya.





The win was Barça's fourteenth on the trot in the league and in his time as Barça manager, Frank Rijkaard has won every league game against Mallorca. The victories go on then, and Barça are now just one game short of equalling La Liga record for successive wins, and perhaps more importantly the team showed Thursday's defeat was no more than a blip as they opened up an even bigger lead at the top. The only bad news for Barça on this evening have been the yellow cards for Edmilson and Ronaldinho who will be suspended for next week's match against Atletico Madrid.