Messi strikes late to see off tough Alaves
BARCELONA escaped a scare on Philippe Coutinho’s first start as Lionel Messi struck with a trademark free-kick to drag the La Liga leaders back from a goal down to beat Alaves 2-1 and restore their 11-point lead at the top.
Messi (pictured celebrating his strike, AFP) whipped home a beautiful free-kick six minutes from the end to down resilient Alaves, who are just two points from the drop zone in 17th despite John Guidetti silencing the Camp Nou with a shock breakaway opener in the 23rd minute.
Luis Suarez had broken the away side’s tough resistence with a sweet volley from Andres Iniesta’s cross 18 minutes from the end, setting the stage for Messi’s dramatic and stylish winner.
The Argentine’s strike ensures that Barca stay unbeaten in the league, and keeps Atletico Madrid 11 points back despite their 3-0 hammering of Las Palmas earlier.
‘One more step’ for Coutinho
Barca coach Ernesto Valverdes said he was happy with Coutinho, who had started Thursday’s Copa del Rey clash with Valencia on the bench before making a second-half appearance.
“Players are not machines who can fit in at once, like a new part,” Valverde said.
“He did well, he wanted the ball. This is one more step for him. The other day, he played 25 minutes, this time a little more, he will integrate little by little.”
Wit h Di e g o Cost a o ut injured, Atletico took a while to get going and nd had to wait until the 61st st minute to open the scorring, Antoine Griezmann nn latching on to Juanfran’s ran’s fine ball down the right ight flank before dinking neatly eatly over Las Palmas stopper er Leandro Chichizola.
“The first half was not t very good but the coach h gave us a good talking to at half-time, and we respondponded well,” said Griezmann, ann, whose goal was just his seventh in the league this his season but his fourth in league and cup since the he turn of the year.
“I feel good, I’ve started ted the year well and I hope e to continue the goals and assists.”
Frenchman Griezmann ann started the move that led to Atletico’s second, intercepting a loose pass and setting Angel Correa free to scamper down the pitch and feed Fernando Torres, who shifted the ball onto his right foot and lashed home just his second goal of the season, the 600th scored by Atletico in al l c o m p e t i t i o n s during Diego S i m e o n e ’s s e v e n - y e a r reign as coach.
An easy tap-in from Thomas Partey after great work from Yannick Carrasco two minutes mi from time completed the second-half rout of a desperate per Las Palmas, who remain second sec from bottom and five points po from safety.
Sevilla S were denied the chance cha to close within three points po of Real Madrid and the Champions Ch League places after Angel An Rodriguez scored a controversial tro equaliser deep in stoppage sto time to snatch a 1-1 draw dra for Getafe at the Roman Sanchez San Pizjaun stadium.
Luis L Muriel had slid in a 72nd-minute 72n opener for the hosts, ho but with seconds to spare Juan Jua Cala challenged Sevilla keeper ke Sergio Rico for a hopeful fu high ball, and with the S Sevilla fans and players clamouring o for a free-kick, Angel lashed l home the leveller and celebrated c under a hail of whistleswh and boos.