Messi keeps Barca alive ahead of El Clasico
Lionel Messi kept Barcelona's title hopes alive with two goals and an assist to see off Real Sociedad 3-2 as Spain's top-two edged five-goal thrillers ahead of next weekend's El Clasico.
Published : Apr 16, 2017 02:30 IST
Lionel Messi kept Barcelona's title hopes alive with two goals and an assist to see off Real Sociedad 3-2 as Spain's top-two edged five-goal thrillers ahead of next weekend's El Clasico.
Earlier on Saturday, Isco struck at the death to keep Real Madrid three points clear and with a game in hand at the top of the table after twice coming from behind to beat Sporting Gijon 3-2.
Barcelona will need Messi on this form if it is to produce another miracle Champions League fightback against Juventus on Tuesday from a 3-0 first leg deficit.
The Argentine is now just two off his 500th Barca goal as he smashed home an effort from 25 yards to open the scoring.
Messi then took his tally to 45 goals in 44 games this season with a far less spectacular finish as he bundled home from close range after Geronimo Rulli had saved from Luis Suarez.
However, Barca passed up the chance to enjoy a comfortable evening in a three-goal spell in as many minutes just before half-time.
Firstly, Samuel Umtiti turned Inigo Martinez's driven effort into his own net.
Paco Alcacer, deputising for the suspended Neymar, briefly restored Barca's two-goal lead with a composed finish from Messi's pass.
Yet, Sociedad scored again almost straight from kick-off as Xabi Prieto cushioned William Jose's cross into the bottom corner.
Barca struggled for control after the break, but was handed a let off by Sociedad's wild finishing.