If you've ever played a soccer video game, chances are you've tried to win by ridiculous, never-gonna-happen-in-real-life score. 7-0. 11-1. 8-0. Barcelona made that happen on Saturday against Almeria.
In the video game, your forwards are virtually unstoppable. They weave in and out of 4 defenders, pounce on loose balls and always find the back of the net. Your midfielders pick the perfect angle for every pass and each player's stats are padded to superhuman levels. Sound anything like what happened in Mediterranean Games Stadium on Saturday?
Going into the game, Almeria was the 3rd-ranked defense in Spain's La Liga. The only defenses with fewer goals were that of Barcelona (8) and Real Madrid (5). Almeria also had Diego Alves in goal, one of the classiest, most acrobatic keepers in the Spanish league. Could their defense stop the high-powered Azulgrana offense?
Barcelona opened their account early with a slick goal from Lio Messi in the 16th minute. David Villa received the ball and perfectly set up Lio with a sweet back-heel pass. Messi's shot from just outside the penalty box crossed from left to right to end up in the lower right corner of the net.
When Andres Iniesta scored two minutes later on a bungled defensive clear attempt, the stage was set for a route.
Messi, Iniesta, Pedro, Bojan and even Almeria's Acasiete (in his own goal) all racked up goals in the historic win. Barcelona looked like they were on autopilot for most of the game. With an 8-0 scoreline as of the 73rd minute, they had every reason to be.
The route was Barcelona's biggest goleada as the away team since a 1959 beating of Las Palmas. According to El Mundo Deportivo, Barca did rack up an 8-0 as the home team in 1996-1997. That team was coached by Bobby Robson and had the original Ronaldo - el fenomeno - in their ranks together with Figo and current Barca coach, Josep Guardiola.
The result of Saturday's historic victory? Almeria coach Juanma Lillo was fired and Barcelona go into "El Clasico" with all the momentum in the world. Real Madrid and Barcelona have been trading verbal jabs like heavyweight fighters but this 8-0 route is the loudest pronouncement yet. The stage is set for more video game soccer on Monday, November 29.
In case you missed it, here's a video of the PS3-worthy drubbing:
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