Suarez shines, Barca return to second place in La Liga.

Striker Luis Suarez scored two beautiful goals, making a significant contribution to Barca's 5-0 victory over Las Palmas in La Liga's 18th round.

Goals: Suarez 14', 57', Messi 52', Turan 59', Aleix Vidal 80'

With two lightning-fast touches using his favored right foot, Suarez scored two goals for Barca in the 14th and 57th minutes. This brace played a crucial role in relieving pressure and deciding the fate of the match. Along with three other goalscorers – Messi, Arda Turan, and Aleix Vidal – Suarez secured the team's first major victory of 2017.

With three points from their match against Las Palmas, Barca are beginning to regain hope in La Liga. The reigning champions are currently in second place with 38 points, two points ahead of third-placed Sevilla and two points behind leaders Real Madrid (who have played two fewer games). This result could have a psychological impact on the match between Sevilla and Real Madrid taking place tonight, January 15th.

Luis Suarez is regaining his top form. Photo: Reuters

For Barcelona fans, the match against Las Palmas could be a test of coach Luis Enrique's courage. Facing a team currently ranked eighth in the league, the coach showed no hesitation in resting two key players, Neymar and Andres Iniesta. This choice proved partly correct, as the two replacements, Turan and Rafinha, both played well and contributed to the victory. Turan himself initiated two goals and scored another, while Rafinha assisted the second goal. The effective performances of these two players helped Barca secure a resounding victory while also preserving the energy of Neymar and Iniesta for the first leg of the Copa del Rey quarter-final against Sociedad.

Besides coach Enrique's courageous decision, Barca's victory was also largely thanks to striker Suarez. After scoring his first goal of 2017 in the second leg of the King's Cup round of 16, Suarez seemed to be rediscovering the form that brought him the Golden Boot award last season. In the situation leading to his first goal, the number 9 striker stunned the entire Las Palmas defense with a one-touch shot into the near corner after a cross from Andre Gomes. At the beginning of the second half, the star continued to impress when he received the ball in the penalty area and curled a quick shot into the far corner.

While Suarez shone brightly, Messi played a more understated role compared to the previous three matches. The captain primarily focused on leading the game and creating connections in place of Iniesta. However, when given the opportunity, Messi still found a way to put the ball into the net. Proof of this was the situation in the 52nd minute, when M10 rushed in to tap the ball in, making it 2-0 after goalkeeper Javi Varas pushed it away.

Messi has scored his fourth goal in four consecutive matches since the beginning of 2017.

With Suarez's brace and Messi's goal, the match was practically over for Barca from the start of the second half. The remaining two goals from Turan and Vidal were like dessert after the feast.

Suarez could have scored a hat-trick if he had converted his one-on-one opportunity with the goalkeeper in the 59th minute. After the ball rebounded, Turan was quick to pounce on the rebound and score, making it 4-0.

For Vidal, the goal was even more significant as it was his first goal in a Barca shirt. The right-back was overjoyed after accurately finishing off a pass from Paco Alcacer on the right wing. The match against Las Palmas also marked Vidal's first start for Barca in La Liga.

Turan played effectively when replacing Neymar as a left winger.

While Barca dominated and secured a resounding victory, Las Palmas had a performance unbefitting their eighth-place position. They managed only one shot on target in over 90 minutes. Las Palmas' most important player, striker Kevin Prince Boateng, was barely able to find his way between the two central defenders, Mascherano and Umtiti.

According to VNE