Barca’s march continues
ON TRACK Catalans maintain their unbeaten streak in La Liga with a 20 victory over Athletic Bilbao
BARCELONA: Lionel Messi added to his scoring streak with a firsthalf goal in Barcelona’s 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao in the La Liga on Sunday.
Messi scored his eighth goal in six matches with a firm, low shot from outside the area in the 30th minute at Camp Nou, helping Barcelona to take an 11-point lead over Atletico Madrid, who play at Villarreal later.
Messi was also involved in the buildup to Barcelona’s first goal, a shot by Paco Alcacer from near the penalty spot after a low cross by Jordi Alba.
Messi set the pace from the start and Barcelona was always in control at Camp Nou, comfortably earning their fourth straight win in all competitions.
The Argentina playmaker had scored twice in Barcelona’s 3-0 win over Chelsea in the Champions League on Wednesday, helping the Catalan club reach the quarterfinals of the European competition.
SCORING SPREE
Messi took his Spanish leagueleading scoring tally to 25 goals, four more than teammate Luis Suarez and seven ahead of Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo.
Messi has scored at least a goal in his last six matches. He did not play in Barcelona’s 2-0 win at Malaga in the previous round because of the birth of his third son.
Barcelona, still unbeaten in La Liga, pressured throughout the game and had plenty of chances to score more goals. Philippe Coutinho struck the crossbar shortly after Barcelona’s first goal and again after the second, and Paulinho hit the post just before half-time. Messi nearly scored his second from inside the area in the 88th.
Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde left Andres Iniesta out of the starting lineup, with the midfielder coming on in the second half. Alcacer played from the start in place of suspended forward Suarez, while Paulinho was in for the injured Sergio Busquets in midfield. Ousmane Dembele played up front, making his third consecutive start in an injury-hit season.