Messi brace helps Barcelona stay in La Liga title race

MADRID, May 3: Lionel Messi came through for Barcelona again, keeping the Spanish league’s title race wide open.
Messi scored two second-half goals on Sunday – including his 50th from a free kick – as Barcelona came from behind to beat Valencia 3-2 and get within two points of leader Atlético Madrid ahead of their key match at the Camp Nou Stadium next weekend.
A win will give Ronald Koeman’s team the league lead for the first time this season.
Antoine Griezmann also scored for Barcelona, which is tied on points with second-place Madrid with four rounds to go.
Madrid has a better head-to-head tiebreaker against both rivals at the top. Sevilla also remains in the title race.
It can move within three points of the lead if it beats Athletic Bilbao at home on Monday. Sevilla visits Madrid next weekend.
Barcelona made the trip to Valencia under pressure after both Atletico and Madrid won their matches on Saturday – Atlético edged Elche 1-0 and Madrid defeated Osasuna 2-0.
The Catalan club was coming off a shock 2-1 home loss to Granada on Thursday, when it could have grabbed sole possession of the lead.
The pressure increased Sunday after Valencia opened the scoring at the Mestalla Stadium with Gabriel Paulista’s goal in the 50th minute.
The midfielder beat Barcelona defender Clément Lenglet to the ball for an easy header by the far post.
Video review was used to check on a possible foul away from the ball, but the goal stood.
Messi led Barcelona’s recovery. The Argentina star equalized in the 57th in the fallout of his own penalty kick after his poor shot from the spot was saved by Valencia goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen.
Griezmann netted the go-ahead goal six minutes later off another save from Cillessen.
Messi’s second goal came with a beautifully struck free kick that curled over the wall and hit the post before going into the net in the 69th.
Also, Villarreal moved to sixth place by beating Getafe 1-0.
Seventh-place Real Betis was held 1-1 at relegation-threatened Valladolid, while Granada suffered a 1-0 home loss against Cadiz. (AP)