Barcelona and Argentinian star Lionel Messi scored his 400th goal for the Catalan giants in their 2-0 home victory over Valencia in La Liga.
Luis Enrique’s side opened the scoring through Luis Suarez in the first minute. The Uruguayan was put through on goal by Messi and he poked the ball under Brazilian keeper Diego Alves.
Los Ches missed a golden opportunity to equalise on ten minutes. Forward Rodrigo was brought down by Barcelona centre-back Gerard Pique in the penalty area.
Midfielder Dani Parejo stepped-up to take the spot-kick and saw it saved by Barcelona’s Chilean keeper Claudio Bravo.
Valencia came more into the game as Nicolas Otamendi and Paco Alcacer both missed good chances to level the score. Alcacer also hit the post and fired over the bar with another effort. There was still time for Messi for fire wide of goal before half-time.
Messi came close to scoring his milestone goal on 66 minutes, but clipped the bar with an effort. Bravo produced a good save from Rodrigo, after the forward had stuck his leg out in the congested penalty area.
Pedro came close to doubling Barcelona’s lead, but Alves did well to deny the Spanish international. Messi did seal the victory in injury-time though.
The Argentine ran through on goal and looked certain to score, only for Alves to deny his initial effort, but the ball bounced nicely for the former-Ballon d’Or winner to fire into an empty net.
The victory took the Catalan giants temporarily five points clear at the top of La Liga, with Real Madrid facing Malaga later today.
Is Lionel Messi the greatest ever player?
