Suarez scores hat-trick, Barca forces Real to share top spot

Striker Luis Suarez scored all three goals for Barca in the victory over Eibar in round 9 of Liga on the evening of October 25.

Suarez has had two hat-tricks for Barca. Photo: Reuters

Result: Barca 3-1 Eibar

Goals: Suarez 21', 48', 85' - Baston 10'

Luis Suarez's performance was a rescue for Barca from disaster. After Eibar took an early lead, the Nou Camp home team needed a hero and Suarez appeared at the right time. In three scoring situations, the striker wearing the number 9 shirt handled them neatly and effectively, not only bringing an important victory but also joining the race for the Golden Boot alongside Neymar, Nolito and Ronaldo.

With three points against Eibar, Barca made Real less happy when they had to share the lead. The two teams now have 21 points after nine rounds, soon resuming the two-horse race towards the El Clasico match on November 21.

Like in previous matches, Messi continued to sit in the stands due to injury. Replacing M10 was Sandro Ramirez, the striker assisted Suarez's header to equalize before leaving the field in the 56th minute to make way for another young player, Munir El Haddadi. Coach Luis Enrique has yet to find a better replacement while the winter transfer market is still more than two months away.

Not facing Messi, Eibar showed why they are seventh in the table. Mendilibar's side organised many effective attacks towards the centre, which is considered Barca's weakest point at the moment. Eibar even opened the scoring in the 10th minute thanks to a rebound from Borja Baston, before causing trouble for the home team's goal twice more in the 30th and 40th minutes. For Baston alone, the opening goal was his sixth in the last five games, enough for the 23-year-old striker to hope for a starting spot for Atletico Madrid after his loan at Eibar ends.

In a game that had to come from behind, Barca once again had to place their hopes on the duo of Neymar, Suarez and midfielder Ivan Rakitic. After Neymar scored four goals against Rayo Vallecano last weekend, and Rakitic scored twice in the Champions League group stage win over Bate Borisov, this time it was Suarez's turn to shine. The No. 9 not only showed up at the right time to head in Sandro Ramirez's cross for the equalizer in the 21st minute, but also showed his finishing skills with his right foot to score the next goal. Goalkeeper Asier Riesgo was caught off guard by both goals in the 48th and 85th minutes, having to deal with the same powerful, decisive shot into the near corner.

Suarez is regaining his best form.

Suarez's next two goals were reminiscent of the decisive goal in Barca's Champions League win over Leverkusen, when he also finished quickly into the near corner after an assist from El Haddadi.

Neymar, the hero of last weekend's 5-1 win over Rayo, did not score against Eibar but still played an important role in creating the game. Suarez's next two goals both came from his teammate wearing the number 11 shirt.

The win over Eibar did not end well for Barca. Midfielder Javier Mascherano was shown a straight red card in the 83rd minute after a confusing exchange with the referee.

After nine rounds, Barca still have the most wins in La Liga 2015-2016 with seven matches. Real have one win less as the only unbeaten team. Atletico are currently third with 19 points, just two points behind the two leading teams.

Barca is no longer too worried when Messi is absent.

According to VNE