Messi’s neat passing helps Barca pass stern test.
Messi tees up win as Barca cling on to fading title hopes
Lionel Messi made it 20 assists for the season in Barcelona’s stodgy 1-0 win over Real Valladolid, even as his team’s La Liga challenge appears almost over.
Messi teed up Arturo Vidal’s winner at Jose Zorilla to become the first player to provide 20 assists in Spain’s top flight since Xavi Hernandez in 2009.
Victory for Barca means Real Madrid cannot clinch the title today by beating Granada but only an incredible collapse will prevent them putting their name on the trophy later in the week.
If they beat Granada, Real will win La Liga by prevailing at home to Villarreal on Thursday, regardless of Barcelona’s results.
Overall, Real need only five points from their remaining three matches to secure their third La Liga title in eight years.
“We are doing things that deserve more than where we are,” said Barca coach Quique Setien.
“To win La Liga, I don’t know, because our rival is winning everything.”
Yet even as Barca’s turbulent domestic campaign draws to a close, Messi continues to shine.
His delightful pass for Vidal in the 15th minute, a scoop between two Valladolid defenders, triggered more remarkable milestones.
As well as matching the best La Liga total for assists by one player in the last 11 years, Messi extends his own career-best number of assists in a single league season.
He also becomes only the second player in the 21st century from the five major European leagues to hit 20 goals and 20 assists in the same campaign, after Thierry Henry in 2002-03.
Luis Suarez started on the bench but replaced Antoine Griezmann at half-time, the Frenchman enduring one of his quieter displays before having to go off injured.
“He came off because he had a problem,” Setien said.
“It was him who asked for the change.”
Defeat leaves Valladolid 14th but survival looks all-but secured, with seven points between them and the bottom three.
Third-placed Atletico Madrid made sure of their place in the Champions League next season with a 1-0 win over Real Betis despite playing more than half an hour with 10 men.
Diego Costa grabbed the only goal from a Yannick Carrasco free-kick in the 73rd minute after VAR had earlier ruled out two goals.
Atletico full-back Mario Hermoso had been red-carded in the 57th minute. — AFP