MADRID: Lionel Messi struck twice as leaders Barcelona survived a second-half spellof pressure at Mallorca to win 4-2 and strengthen their position at the top of La Liga yesterday.
Xavi Hernandez, Messi and Cristian Tello got first-half goals for the Catalans before Victor Casadesus and Michael Pereira reduced the lead after the interval.
Messi then hit his fifteenth in the league to wrap up the game and make it 76 goals now in 2012, beating Pele’s tally of 75 from 1958 and taking him to within nine of Gerd Muller’s all time record total of 85 set in 1972.
The win increases Barca’s lead to six points at the top, ahead of Atletico and Real Madrid, who sit 2nd and 3rd.
Barca were ahead when Xavi curled a perfect free-kick over the defensive wall after Jose Luis Marti fouled Fabregas on the left edge of the area.
Barca added to their lead 43 minutes when Messi went on a run and hit a well struck shot into the net.
A minute later and Tello controlled a pass on the left-wing before cutting inside and unleashing a right-footed drive that went across Aouate and into the far corner.
A Casadesus drive was blocked by Fabregas before Michael Pereira converted a right wing cross to reduce the lead on 55 minutes.
Two minutes later Busquets’ outstretched hand made enough contact with the ball for the referee to award a penalty that Casadesus converted to reduce the arrears to 3-2.
Messi smashed home his second on 76 minutes to make the game safe. AFP
