Barca cruise to win at Mallorca
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FC Barcelona overcame the absence of four key players to produce a convincing 3-0 win away to Mallorca.
Goals from Leo Messi, David Villa and Pedro Rodriguez gave Barcelona what ultimately turned into a comfortable win against a Mallorca side that could never be faulted for effort, but which ran out of steam in the second half.
Barcelona travelled without first team regulars Dani Alves, Carles Puyol, Xavi Hernandez and goalkeeper Victor Valdes. They were replaced by Jose Pinto, Seydou Keita, Maxwell and Adriano against a Mallorca team that was lacking experienced defender Ivan Ramis.
Mallorca went into the game knowing they had drawn 1-1 away to Barcelona in the Camp Nou Stadium and held Real Madrid to a draw in the opening game of the season.
Messi wasted Barca's first chance when he fired over after an exchange of passes with David Villa and Andres Iniesta, before Adriano fired. across the face of goal after good work in the Mallorca area.
Messi opened the scoring after 38 minutes with a header after Keita had put him in on goal with a neat chipped pass as Mallorca began to tire.
After an even opening 10 minutes to the second half, Barcelona began to take total control and Villa doubled the lead with an excellent goal. The visitors kept possession for several minutes before Sergio Busquets delivered a through ball for the striker to take past Dudu Aouate and fire home.
Pedro made it 3-0 with a dipping shot from the corner of the area and although Iniesta almost made it 4 a few minutes later, the referee would have done both teams a favor had he blown the final whistle with 20 minutes remaining.
Barcelona were in total control, while Mallorca were a team that was clearly beaten and waiting for the final whistle.
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