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Barcelona returned to first place in La Liga on Wednesday for the first time in months after pounding relegation-threatened Sporting Gijon 6-1 with Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar each scoring beauties. 

The win, combined with Real Madrid’s draw with Las Palmas, moves Barca up to 57 points, two ahead of Real Madrid, in a convincing performance, which saw the club win five league matches in a row for the first time all campaign.

Barcelona scored three times in the first half, with Paco Alcacer, Ivan Rakitic and Neymar scoring in the second to cap off the dominate showing. 

Here’s everything you need to know about the match.

Dominance, again 

Barca won at Sporting 5-0 earlier this year and somehow improved the goal output here with six. Sure, one was an own goal, but it was still impressive and it gives this team plenty of momentum as it looks to win La Liga, the Copa del Rey and somehow come back against PSG in the Champions League. 

Suarez scored stunner to make it 3-1

Suarez scored Barcelona’s second, and it was magical. The forward waited for a lose ball to fall to him, and he did this in the first half.

Neymar with a beauty

Not to be outdone, Neymar scored Barca’s fifth with a simply outstanding free kick. Look at this shot.

Player of the match

It was Messi, who scored and assisted Alcacer. He was lively and did it all in just an hour as he was subbed off. Having been a bit quiet lately, this showing actually saw him looking happy after some recent games where he was criticized by fans and the media for his attitude. 

This could be the spark Messi and Barca needed to regain confidence.

New coach

Barca boss Luis Enrique announced after the match that he would be leaving in the summer when his contract expires, citing exhaustion. 

Here are potential candidates to replace him.

Relive the match with our live blog below. 

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