体坛英语新闻：Barcelona claims stunning 6-2 win in Madrid

MADRID, May 2 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona produced a magnificent performance to beat Real Madrid 6-2 in the Santiago Bernabeu stadium to virtually assure this season's Spanish Primera Liga title.

    Barcelona came back from a goal down to humiliate Real Madrid in front of 80,000 fans on Madrid's home ground with a performance that left no doubt about the vast gulf in class between the two teams.

Barcelona's Thierry Henry (L) shoots to score past Real Madrid's goalkeeper Iker Casillas during their Spanish first division soccer match at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid May 2, 2009.

The win leaves Barcelona seven points ahead of Real Madrid with just four games left this season. If Barcelona wins at home to Villarreal next weekend and Madrid fails to win in Valencia, Barca will be mathematically crowned champion.

    Despite taking an early lead through a Gonzalo Higuain header after 13 minutes, Madrid always looked second best.

Barcelona's Thierry Henry (L) celebrates his goal with his team mate Samuel Eto'o during their Spanish first division soccer match against Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid May 2, 2009

That was confirmed in emphatic style in the following minutes. Thierry Henry, who had a magnificent game, equalized just four minutes later with an instinctive finish following a Leo Messi pass.

    Barcelona went ahead after 19 minutes when Carles Puyol headed home a Xavi Hernandez free kick.

Barcelona's Gerard Pique (R) celebrates his goal as Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain watches during their Spanish First Division soccer match at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid May 2, 2009.

That set the scene for Barcelona to totally dominate the rest of the half and had it not been for a series of saves from Iker Casillas, the Catalan team would have scored at least two goals more before Messi finally made it 3-1 after 35 minutes.

    The Barcelona striker took advantage of an error from Madrid's Lassana Diarra to stride forward and coolly beat Casillas.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi (R) shoots a goal towards Real Madrid's goalkeeper Iker Casillas during their Spanish first division soccer match at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid May 2, 2009

The fate of the game was effectively sealed in a two minute spell in the second half. Sergio Ramos scored with a header to bring Madrid back into the game after 56 minutes. But barely a minute later, Henry scored his second of the night, beating the offside trap to steer the ball home from 25 yards, with Casillas off his line.

    From then on it was just a question of how many goals Barcelona would score.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi (top) celebrates his goal with his team mate Xavi Hernandez during their Spanish first division soccer match against Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid May 2, 2009

Messi made it 5-2 with 15 minutes left and defender Gerard Pique sealed Madrid's misery with slightly over five minutes on the clock and the home fans already leaving their seats.

    To Real Madrid's credit, their players kept working until the final whistle, but Barcelona is quite simply a much better team.

Barcelona's Thierry Henry and Daniel Alves (R) celebrate a goal against Real Madrid during their Spanish first division soccer match at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid May 2, 2009