Lionel Messi, Gerard Pique and Andres Iniesta were among those excused duty against the league's bottom side, but the reserves enjoyed near total dominance in the first period, the only surprise being that Alexis Sanchez's 38th-minute goal was all they had to show for it as Messi and Iniesta were sent on to close out the victory in the second half and combined for the second goal, a superb Messi finish for his 40th league goal of the season. It was the 17th consecutive La Liga game in which Messi has scored.