4-3-3 Average rating 6.8
Victor Valdés 6
Had no shots to save, so busied himself by getting involved in the various spats that broke out among the players, and appeared to use an elbow in a flare-up just before half-time.
Daniel Alves 7
Untroubled defensively and a nuisance going forward. Tested Szczesny with a powerfully struck free kick, which led to the goalkeeper’s substitution because of a dislocated finger.
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Sergio Busquets 5
Fortunate to avoid a booking for a cynical block on Nasri in the first half and headed into his own net in the second as he struggled in an unfamiliar role at centre back.
Eric Abidal 7
Had so little to do that he was able to get forward into a goalscoring position five minutes before half-time, and might have scored had he shot sooner after a well-timed run.
Adriano Correia 6
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Included because of his greater defensive ability than Maxwell, but such skills were not needed and his most significant contribution was hitting a post after a powerful run.
Xavi Hernández 9
The best passer in the world provided another magnificent demonstration of his art, dictating the pace with a variety of exquisitely controlled balls. Also scored Barcelona’s second.
Javier Mascherano 6
A holding midfield player was hardly required given Barcelona’s complete dominance of possession, but when the ball came his way he distributed it effectively.
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Andrés Iniesta 8
Less dominant than Xavi but involved when it mattered, squeezing the ball through the tiniest of gaps for Messi’s opening goal and making the second for his Spain colleague.
Pedro Rodríguez 6
Struggled to make much of an impact as Nasri and Clichy combined effectively to deny him space on the ball, but won the penalty scored by Messi to put Barcelona through.
David Villa 7
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Unusually quiet in the first half, but increasingly threatening after the interval as he got into several goalscoring chances, only to be denied by good saves from Almunia.
Lionel Messi 8
Missed several chances created with his unique dribbling style, but made the decisive contributions, scoring with a wonderful bit of improvisation and a well-taken penalty.
Substitutes: Ibrahim Afellay (for Villa, 82min), Seydou Keita (for Mascherano, 88), Maxwell (for Adriano, 90). Not used: José Pinto, Bojan Krkic, Gabriel Milito, Thiago.