Barcelona 4 Valencia 2: Lionel Messi produces stunning performance and breaks more records as Barca keep on Real Madrid’s tail
LIONEL MESSI has broken yet more records as Barcelona beat Valencia 4-2 at the Nou Camp to keep pace with leaders Real Madrid.
The Argentine maestro scored a double, making him the only La Liga player to reach 40 goals in each of the last eight seasons in all competitions.
Lionel Messi played magnificently on the night against ValenciaReuters
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Added to that, Messi became the very first player to score 25 plus goals in La Liga in eight successive seasons.
Mid-table Valencia’s Manchester City loanee Eliaquim Mangala opened the scoring on the night with a header, before Luis Suarez equalised, sliding home from Neymar’s quick throw-in.
Luis Suarez scored a stunning equaliser for BarcaGetty ImagesEliaquim Mangala scored the opener but soon turned villain as he was sent offRex Features
Mangala then went from hero to villain on the stroke of half-time, denying Suarez a clear goalscoring opportunity before being shown a straight red.
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Messi converted the penalty for 2-1 - but there was still time in the first period for Munir El Haddadi to turn home Jose Luis Gaya's cross.
On the 52nd minute, Messi's volley was closed down, before the wall was worked back to him by Javier Mascherano and the superstar worked his magic to strike a low shot home to give Barca the lead again.
Messi broke two scoring records tonight, confirming he is one of the greatest everGetty ImagesFormer Valencia player Andre Gomes, left, scored his first goal for Barca right at the deathGetty Images
Luis Enrique's Barca withstood late pressure and extended their lead, the magnificent Neymar crossing for Andre Gomes to tap in his first goal for the club against Valencia, the team he signed from in the summer.
Zinedine Zidane's Real may have a game in hand, but on this evidence Barcelona aren’t giving up the title any time soon.
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