Landmark Messi strike as Barcelona sink Sevilla

Lionel Messi plundered his 150th Liga goal as FC Barcelona completed a routine 2-0 victory against Sevilla FC.

The Argentinian international, who has scored 11 goals in his last four matches in all competitions, reached his landmark in style, beating Andrés Palop with a delicious lob on 25 minutes. Xavi Hernández had given the Spanish and European champions the lead on with a free-kick seven minutes earlier and Josep Guardiola's charges held on for a sixth successive Liga victory to move to within seven points of leaders Real Madrid CF, who host Málaga CF on Sunday.

Elsewhere, Iñigo Martínez's own goal nine minutes from time gave Getafe CF a 1-0 success against Real Sociedad de Fútbol while Granada CF arrested a three-match losing streak with a 2-1 triumph against second-from-bottom Real Sporting de Gijón, with Carlos Martins and Guillherme Siqueria on target for the hosts. Real Zaragoza and CA Osasuna drew 1-1. In the late fixture, Rayo Vallecano de Madrid beat Real Betis Balompié 3-0.