Barcelona 4 - Zaragoza 1

Barcelona: Víctor Valdés; Zambrotta (Oleguer 20'), Márquez, Milito, Abidal; Xavi, Touré Yayá, Deco (Giovani 72'); Messi (Bojan 82'), Henry, Iniesta. 4-3-3.
Zaragoza: César; Diogo, Pavón, Sergio, Juanfran; Zapater, Luccin (Gabi 46'), Matuzalem (Chus Herrero 53'); Aimar; Diego Milito (Sergio García 58'), Oliveira. 4-3-1-2.

Team changes: Barça: No change / Zaragoza: Pavón, Zapater for Ayala, Gabi.

Goals:
1-0. 05. Messi. Cut in from wing and latched on to Henry return pass to score.
1-1. 09. Zapater. Connected with Aimar pass and struck angled shot across Valdés
2-1. 10. Messi. Ran on to loose ball in area and clipped shot past César.
3-1. 21. Iniesta. Far post tap in after Deco passed ball across goal.
4-1. 45. Márquez. Header into net after César pushed Deco free kick onto post.

Barcelona moved up to third place pending Real Madrid's game on Thursday after thrashing Zaragoza 4-1, all the goals coming in the first half. Once again Messi was the star of the night, opening the scoring after a good run ended with a return pass from Henry. And the youngster added a second in the tenth minute with a snapshot after Deco had lost the ball, just a minute after Zapater had equalised with an angled shot across Valdés.

Messi then combined with Deco to set up Iniesta for a third, and César made a couple of good saves from Henry before Márquez got the fourth on the stroke of half time, heading back into the net after Deco's free kick was tipped on to the post by the keeper.

The second half continued in the same vein, Iniesta and Messi going close. Valdés had to save from Oliveira, but Iniesta hit the post with a long shot and César once again had to keep out Henry a couple of times. It was the tonic the local fans wanted, and after three good home wins in a row Rijkaard can breath more easily.