Madrid: Lionel Messi penetrated Barcelona again and kept the Spanish league’s title race wide open.
Messi scored two goals in the second half on Sunday – including his 50th through a free kick – as Barcelona came from behind to beat Valencia 3-2 and come within two points of leaders Atlético.
Madrid ahead of their most important match in the Camp Nou stadium next weekend. a win will give Ronald Koeman’s team the lead in the league for the first time this season.
Antoine Griezmann also passed for Barcelona, who tied for second place with Madrid with four more rounds. Madrid have a better match against both opponents at the top. Sevilla also remain in the title race. It could move within three points of the lead if it beats Athletic Bilbao at home on Monday. Sevilla visit Madrid next weekend.
Barcelona put the trip to Valencia under pressure after both Atlético and Madrid won their matches on Saturday – Atlético beat Elche 1-0 and Madrid defeated Osasuna 2-0. The Catalan club came away with a shocking 2-1 home loss to Granada on Thursday when they could grab the lead on their own.
“It was an important victory to keep us in the fight after the unexpected loss,” said Barcelona captain Gerard Piqué.
“We will try to win next weekend and take the lead. It’s in our hands. ”
The pressure increased on Sunday after Valencia opened the scoring at Mestalla Stadium with Gabriel Paulista’s goal in the 50th minute. The midfielder hit Barcelona defender Clément Lenglet on the ball for an easy header at the far post. Video review was used to check for a possible foul off the ball, but the goal stood.
Messi led the recovery of Barcelona.
The Argentine star equalized in the 57th in the fall of his own penalty kick after his weak shot from the spot was saved by Valencia goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen. Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets and Pedri González both tried before Messi got the flyhalf and beat from close range.
Griezmann conceded the goal six minutes later with another save from Cillessen. The former Barcelona goalkeeper stops a header from Frenkie De Jong, but Griezmann comes in unnoticed to score easily.
Messi’s second goal came with a beautiful free kick that curled over the wall and hit the post before being in the 69th goal. His 50th milestone with a free kick increased his score at the top of the league standings, leaving him on 28 goals.
It was Messi’s ninth double in the league this season, and third in his last five games in all competitions.
Valencia drew one closer with a long-range attack by Carlos Soler in the 83rd, but he could not find the equalizer.
Koeman was not on the bench after being sent off for complaining about the loss to Granada.
Source: Telangana Today