Football
PA Sport 9y

Luis Suarez on target as Barcelona thrash Cordoba, Real Sociedad held

Luis Suarez scored his first Primera Division goal and Lionel Messi hit a late double as Barcelona rounded off a difficult 2014 by thrashing minnows Cordoba 5-0.

Pedro got Barcelona off to a dream start by netting in the second minute and then provided the pass for Suarez to double the lead early in the second half, with Gerard Pique and Messi scoring the final goals all in the last 10 minutes.

The Catalans are now one point behind league leaders Real Madrid, but have played one game more than Carlo Ancelotti's side, who took a break from league action this weekend to play the World Club Cup final against San Lorenzo.

David Moyes was denied his maiden away win as Real Sociedad boss and the club's first in the Primera Division since April as they drew 1-1 at Levante after conceding a stoppage-time penalty.

Sociedad led from the 48th minute when Sergio Canales converted from Xabi Prieto's cross, but they missed out on all three points thanks to Andreas Ivanschitz's spot kick in the 92nd minute following a handball by Carlos Martinez.

Paco Alcacer scored his first league goal in nine matches as Valencia recorded a 1-0 victory at Eibar.

The Spain international walked the ball into the net with half an hour gone and the goal proved enough to see off the Basques and give Nuno Espirito Santo's side a second-straight win in the league, taking Los Che above Sevilla and up to fourth spot in the Primera Division.

Although the goal was a scrappy one, it will do a world of good to Alcacer's confidence after a problematic three months in which he has endured a goal drought, a hamstring injury and an unfortunate sending off.

Rayo Vallecano slumped to a third straight Primera Division defeat as Espanyol captain Sergio Garcia inspired his side to a 3-1 victory.

Garcia opened the scoring in the ninth minute, punishing a Rayo mix-up at the back with a well-taken finish, before Leo Baptistao's close-range effort just prior to the interval drew things level.

The visiting skipper then provided the cross from which Lucas Vazquez converted a header in the 76th minute.

Espanyol were reduced to 10 men in the 81st minute when substitute Christian Stuani picked up a second booking. But Garcia subsequently struck again deep into stoppage time to wrap up a fifth win in six matches in all competitions for Sergio Gonzalez's men.

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