Messi nets twice in Barca turnaround over Valencia
Barca are third on 74 points with four games remaining, level with second-placed Real; two behind leaders Atletico
REUTERS
May 03, 2021
VALENCIA:
Lionel Messi scored a 50th freekick goal for Barcelona as he led his side to a quick-fire comeback to win 3-2 at Valencia on Sunday and keep the pressure on La Liga title rivals Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid.
With coach Ronald Koeman serving a touchline ban, Barca fell behind in the 50th minute when Valencia defender Gabriel Paulista headed home from a corner after keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen had stumbled in his attempt to come for the ball.
Valencia 2-3 Barcelona: Player ratings as Blaugrana secure crucial victory in La Liga title race
Antoine Griezmann and Lionel Messi inspired Barcelona to victory once more / Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images
A Lionel Messi brace and Antoine Griezmann goal were enough to earn Barcelona a thrilling 3-2 victory over Valencia on Sunday night, maintaining the pressure in the La Liga title race.
Javi Gracia s decision to play five at the back and match Barcelona s system worked wonders in stifling La Blaugrana s creative edge in the first half, although Ronald Koeman s men did come agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock through Pedri and Ronald Araujo before the interval.
Messi 8/10, De Jong 7/10 as Barcelona keep La Liga title hopes alive at Valencia
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Barcelona need a perfect Lionel Messi to win La Liga (1:54)
Alejandro Moreno says Lionel Messi must take over games to give Barcelona a chance at winning La Liga. (1:54)
Lionel Messi struck twice as Barcelona came from behind to beat Valencia 3-2 at Mestalla on Sunday and keep their title hopes alive with four games to go in La Liga.
Gabriel Paulista headed Valencia into a 50th-minute lead but Barca replied with three goals in 12 minutes to remain within two points of leaders Atletico Madrid, who they host at Camp Nou on Saturday.
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Messi double leads Barca to nail-biting win over Valencia Gabriel Paulista headed Valencia in front early in the second half before Messi missed a penalty, only to smash in from the resulting scramble. Barcelona s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi jumps for the ball during the Spanish league football match between FC Barcelona and Levante UD at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on December 13, 2020. Picture: AFP
32 days ago
VALENCIA, Spain - Lionel Messi missed a penalty but still scored twice, including an exquisite free-kick, as Barcelona edged a five-goal thriller with Valencia on Sunday to stay within touching distance of the top of La Liga.