With 10 matches remaining, it’s as you were in LaLiga with the three top sides all winning over the weekend.
On Saturday, Karim Benzema’s brace lifted Real Madrid over Celta Vigo. On Sunday afternoon, Luis Suárez’s 500th career goal gave Atlético a nervy win over Alavés. On Sunday evening, Barcelona decimated fifth-place Real Sociedad 6-1 for a fifth straight league win.
Despite still holding a four-point advantage over Barça, it’s the Blaugrana that have to worry Diego Simeone most as they’re now unbeaten in 18 straight league games, winning 15 of them.
1⃣⚪️ @atletienglish (66 pts)
2⃣ @FCBarcelona (62 pts)
⚪️3⃣⚪️ @realmadriden (60 pts)— LaLiga English (@LaLigaEN) March 21, 2021
This was supposed to be a massive test of the confidence that Barça had supposedly fully restored because of the league run, the Copa del Rey comeback and a spirited — albeit ultimately doomed — second leg showing against PSG in the Champions League, and Ronald Koeman's team passed it with flying colors while showing how far they’ve progressed of late.
Antoine Griezmann opened the scoring in the 37th minute after Álex Remiro had saved from Ousmane Dembélé.
Birthday boy ANTOINE GRIEZMANN puts @FCBarcelona on the front foot with a goal against his former club. #RealSociedadBarca pic.twitter.com/vECSzMKfMS
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) March 21, 2021
Six minutes later, Lionel Messi fed Sergiño Dest for the American’s first LaLiga goal.
❗️ Messi tees up SERGINO DEST for the US international's first @LaLigaEN goal! #RealSociedadBarca pic.twitter.com/EICcz49wy4
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) March 21, 2021
Eight minutes after the restart, Jordi Alba worked his marker over out wide before crossing for Dest to score his second.
Llega el primer doblete de @sergino_dest con el @FCBarcelona_es, que ya golea a la @RealSociedad #RealSociedadBarça ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/0Cbw543sHT
— beIN SPORTS Español (@ESbeINSPORTS) March 21, 2021
Needless to say, Dest had a great game.
De padre estadounidense, madre neerlandesa y alma brasileña.
Sergiño Dest. #LaCasadelFútbol pic.twitter.com/vIoivI3NaX— Fútbol en Movistar+ (@MovistarFutbol) March 21, 2021
Three minutes after that, Sergio Busquets dropped one over Sociedad’s defensive line for Messi to finish.
Y Leo Messi celebra su partido 7⃣6⃣8⃣ con el @FCBarcelona_es anotando el 0-4 ante la @RealSociedad #RealSociedadBarça ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/xI6VN29kMP
— beIN SPORTS Español (@ESbeINSPORTS) March 21, 2021
There was still time to exchange three more superb goals. The first was converted by Dembélé in the 71st minute to put Barça up 5-0.
"See you lads, I don't need you"
@RayHudson on Dembele's magnificent run and finish pic.twitter.com/RFHvYCvt5x— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) March 21, 2021
But the precocious 19-year-old Ander Barrenetxea would score a consolation for Real Sociedad by ripping an 18-yard effort into the top corner.
"The spiders are absolutely looking for another place to live" after ANDER BARRENETXEA cracks in a stunning consolation goal. #RealSociedadBarca pic.twitter.com/mAmph3asZC
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) March 21, 2021
The final Barça goal was a nice team move that was finished by Messi.
✨ MESSI rounds off a vintage Barcelona passing move to pile further pain on the hosts. #RealSociedadBarca https://t.co/N6IXMwv5XG
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) March 21, 2021
The 33-year-old has been OK in 2021.
Messi in 2021
vs. Huesca
⚽️⚽️ vs. Athletic
⚽️⚽️ vs. Granada
⚽️ vs. Real Vallecano
⚽️ vs. Athletic Club
vs. Granada
⚽️ vs. Betis
⚽️⚽️ vs. Alaves
⚽️ vs. PSG
⚽️ vs. Cadiz
⚽️⚽️ vs. Elche
⚽️ vs. Sevilla
vs. Osasuna
⚽️ vs. PSG
⚽️⚽️ vs. Huesca
⚽⚽️️ vs. Sociedad pic.twitter.com/eOHWuu7e1m— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 21, 2021
Barcelona returns to action after the international break on April 5 against Valladolid. Then, on Saturday, April 10, Barcelona visits Real Madrid in El Clásico.