Two-goal Messi turns tide Barcelona's way
Saturday, April 9, 2011
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Lionel Messi took his Liga tally for the season to 29 as FC Barcelona replied to an earlier victory for Real Madrid CF at Athletic Club with a 3-1 home win against struggling UD Almería.
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Lionel Messi scored twice as FC Barcelona recovered from a goal down to defeat relegation-threatened UD Almería 3-1 and consolidate their eight-point lead over Real Madrid CF - although the hosts' victory was marred by a season-ending knee injury to Bojan Krkić.
With the Azulgrana having put eight past Almería in the reverse fixture in November, it came as a surprise to see Miguel Angel Corona finish off Pablo Piatti's pass five minutes into the second half. Any thoughts the visitors were harbouring of a surprise win at the Camp Nou proved fleeting, though, as Messi levelled from the spot after goalkeeper Diego Alves had clipped David Villa as he ran on to Gabriel Milito's raking pass.
Villa had come on as a first-half substitute for Krkić, who is out for two months after suffering a partial ligament tear in his left knee. A first Liga goal of the season from teenage midfielder Thiago Alcántara, a header from a Messi corner, edged Barcelona in front, though it was not until added time that the latter made the points safe with a deft chip over Alves.
Madrid were comfortable 3-0 winners against Athletic Club in Saturday's early Liga match. Kaká put the Merengues in command with penalties on 13 and 54 minutes, before Cristiano Ronaldo momentarily sneaked in front of Messi in the Pichichi standings with his 28th league goal of the campaign. In the late fixture RCD Mallorca and Sevilla FC shared a 2-2 draw.