After facing a shocking 2-1 defeat against Sevilla pre-international break, FC Barcelona are back with a bang as Neymar scores four goals.
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| FC Barcelona forward Neymar Jr was at the top of his game |
Neymar who's form was much in question since magic man Messi being out of action, has stepped up his game and scored 4 out of 5 goals for FC Barcelona against Rayo Vallecano on Saturday night. The match ended 5-2 as Neymar brought the game home with his outstanding performance.
The night at Camp Nou was kick started by Rayo with an early goal at 14th minute by Javi Guerra, but the lead didn't last long as Neymar scored two back to back penalty at 22nd and 32nd minute.
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| Javi Guerra celebrates along with Rayo teammates |
The two goals were penalties rewarded to Neymar after being tripped by Rayo player Diego Llorente. The Brazilian scored his first with a shot to the left corner of the net while sending the goalkeeper the other way.
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| Neymar takes a spot-on penalty |
Barcelona would have had the game from the beginning if Ivan Rakitic who raced past the Rayo players only to met Rayo goalkeeper Tono who blocked the shot.
Both sides had multiple opportunities to score and equalise but goalkeepers Bravo and Tono were put to work and had some splendid saves through the game.
The second half started with Rayo trying to gain back the match, but the Brazilian Forward striked yet again with two goals with in a minutes span.
At 69th minute, Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez made his way to the goal but was denied by the goalkeeper with a poor clearance. The rebound was picked up by none other than Neymar who registered his hat-trick for the night.
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| Neymar celebrates his hat-trick with a groove |
A minute later, Suarez assisted Neymar to his fourth. The Brazilian then sent a cross from the left-hand side for Suarez who sent the volley in for a fifth one for Barcelona at 77th minute.
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| FC Barcelona forward Luis Suarez celebrates a well-deserved goal |
The night hadn't ended till Jozabed scored a compensatory goal at 86th minute for Rayo, taking their count for goals to two.
Barcelona talisman Messi and Midfielder Iniesta were surely missed but Neymar did seem to rise to the occasion. It seems like the special diet that the Brazilian boy was put on during the international break surely did payoff!
Watch Highlights:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdrD30EKWIc
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| Post-match Neymar applauded the efforts of his teammates |
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| Neymar cherished his victory by taking the game ball |
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| Neymar celebrating his goal with fellow forward Suarez |
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| Neymar celebrating his first goal with Suarez |
