Suarez completed his hat-trick with a penalty after Munir El Haddadi was fouled by Huang Bowen.
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Messi was marked as absent on the team sheet and Barcelona, who were facing Asian champions Guangzhou Evergrande, said in a statement that the Argentine was suffering from “renal colic”.
River Plate booked their place in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2015 thanks to a 1-0 win over Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
Barcelona cruised through the match, with Luis Suarez scoring an impressive hat-trick, but former Chelsea boss Scolari was proud of his side’s efforts.
Barca needed 39 minutes to break down the Guangzhou defence, Suarez pouncing to tuck in the rebound after goalkeeper Li Shaui failed to hold Ivan Rakitic’s long-range drive.
Sandro Ramirez went close to a fourth, 4-0 the record score line in this version of the competition, set by Barca on two occasions in 2011, and Sergio Busquets also had a go too with Gerard Pique breaking forward regularly as well.
“Goals are important but the most important thing is the overall strength of the team”, said Suarez.
Suarez doubled Barcelona’s lead in the 50th minute, controlling a pass from Iniesta on his chest before lashing the ball into the net.
“A lot of time has gone by since then and I’ve witnessed his enormous growth, both as a footballer and as a person”, Messi told FIFA.com on Tuesday. “We have a rivalry with River, they are very strong and one of the best clubs in America”.
Barcelona boss Luis Enrique is hoping that his side can learn from the mistakes made in their recent 2-2 draw with Deportivo La Coruna. If we add the way he can press and how he sparks the rest of the team, he is indispensable. But Enrique also praised his captain Iniesta. “We played a ideal game”.
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“I don’t need to say anything to my players to give them any extra motivation”, insisted Scolari. “During this tournament we play against some teams we don’t normally play against”.
