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Valencia mauled by Messi-led Barcelona
Source: Agencies |
February 21, 2012, Tuesday
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LIONEL Messi's sublime chip capped a four-goal performance as the three-time Ballon d'Or winner moved past the 40-goal mark for a third straight season in mesmerizing fashion to lead Barcelona's 5-1 thrashing of Valencia.
Barcelona had to come from behind on Sunday to stay within 10 points of Real Madrid, easily answering the Spanish leader's 4-0 rout of Racing Santander one night earlier with a pure display of the football that has crowned it the world's best team.
The undoubted star was Messi, who chipped over goalkeeper Diego Alves after being put through by Sergio Busquets for his 27th league goal, 42nd in all competitions and 146th for Barcelona, and in his 200th appearance for the club.
"The team played an incredible game. Some days you play well and some days you play poorly but what important is the team wins," said Messi, whose only other four-goal performance was against Arsenal in the Champions League nearly two years ago.
Earlier, Athletic Bilbao scored three goals in four second-half minutes to beat Malaga 3-0 while Levante's early season success continued to unravel during a winless 2012 after a 5-3 loss to Rayo Vallecano.
Malaga dominated the first half at the San Mames with 14 shots, but conceded in the 58th minute to Fernando Amorebieta before Mikel San Jose headed home a corner kick in the 60th. Gaizka Toquero completed the reversal by sliding into Ander Herrera's cross-goal pass to volley home from a tight angle.
"We didn't allow any scoring chances and we created them," said Bilbao coach Marcelo Bielsa, whose decision to bring on Fernando Llorente for the second half also helped spark his attack. "We defended and attacked a little better in the second half."
New Sporting Gijon coach Javier Clemente began with a 1-1 draw against Atletico, which remains unbeaten under coach Diego Simeone. Granada rallied to beat 10-man Real Sociedad 4-1 and Mallorca beat Villarreal 4-0.
Barcelona had to come from behind on Sunday to stay within 10 points of Real Madrid, easily answering the Spanish leader's 4-0 rout of Racing Santander one night earlier with a pure display of the football that has crowned it the world's best team.
The undoubted star was Messi, who chipped over goalkeeper Diego Alves after being put through by Sergio Busquets for his 27th league goal, 42nd in all competitions and 146th for Barcelona, and in his 200th appearance for the club.
"The team played an incredible game. Some days you play well and some days you play poorly but what important is the team wins," said Messi, whose only other four-goal performance was against Arsenal in the Champions League nearly two years ago.
Earlier, Athletic Bilbao scored three goals in four second-half minutes to beat Malaga 3-0 while Levante's early season success continued to unravel during a winless 2012 after a 5-3 loss to Rayo Vallecano.
Malaga dominated the first half at the San Mames with 14 shots, but conceded in the 58th minute to Fernando Amorebieta before Mikel San Jose headed home a corner kick in the 60th. Gaizka Toquero completed the reversal by sliding into Ander Herrera's cross-goal pass to volley home from a tight angle.
"We didn't allow any scoring chances and we created them," said Bilbao coach Marcelo Bielsa, whose decision to bring on Fernando Llorente for the second half also helped spark his attack. "We defended and attacked a little better in the second half."
New Sporting Gijon coach Javier Clemente began with a 1-1 draw against Atletico, which remains unbeaten under coach Diego Simeone. Granada rallied to beat 10-man Real Sociedad 4-1 and Mallorca beat Villarreal 4-0.
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