First Division - Day 24

Barcelona 2 - Málaga 1

Barcelona: Víctor Valdés; Dani Alves, Puyol, Piqué, Maxwell; Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta; Messi, Ibrahimovic, Pedro (Bojan 85'). 4-3-3.
Málaga: Munúa; Manolo Gaspar, Stepanov (Edu Ramos 16'), Weligton, Manu Torres (Valdo 46'); Juanito, Toribio; Fernando, Baha (Forestieri 71'), Duda; Obinna. 4-2-3-1.

Goals:
1-0. 69. Pedro. Picked up ball outside area and fired long shot wide of Munúa.
1-1. 80. Valdo. Ran on to Obinna return pass and steered low shot past Valdés.
2-1. 83. Messi. Tap-in after quick passing move between Xavi and Dani Alves.

Yellow cards: Manu Torres 36', Piqué 41'.

Barcelona stay two points clear at the top of the table after beating Málaga 2-1 in the last game on Saturday evening. Guardiola's side monopolized play for much of the match, but they were unable to score until Pedro caught out Munúa with a long shot midway through the second half. Iniesta hit the bar as the locals pushed for a second, but with ten minutes to go Valdo equalised after combining with Obinna in a quick breakaway. Three minutes later however Barça were back in front after a quick passing move between Xavi and Alves left Messi with an easy tap-in, and Ibrahimovic got the ball in the net again a few minutes later only to have the strike ruled out for a previous foul.