MADRID: Thomas Vermaelen was the unlikely hero as Barcelona overcame stiff resistance from Malaga to maintain their perfect start to the La Liga season with a 1-0 win at the Camp Nou last night.
The Belgian defender endured a nightmare debut campaign with the Catalans last season as he was perennially sidelined by injury.
However, the former Arsenal captain succeeded where Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar failed as he fired the only goal of the game past the excellent Carlos Kameni 18 minutes from time.
Neymar was starting for the first time this season after overcoming a bout of the mumps as he was reunited with Messi and Suarez up front.
Suarez was the first to have the ball in the net after just four minutes, but his headed effort was ruled out for a foul beforehand by the Uruguayan.
Malaga had stunned the Camp Nou with a 1-0 victory last season and they came within inches of taking the lead in extraordinary style as Juan Carlos’s effort from 60 yards flew just inches over the stranded Claudio Bravo.