A brace from Lionel Messi on Thursday fired Barcelona to a 5-2 win against Getafe Thursday and intensified the race for the La Liga title, amid the chaos surrounding the European Super League.
Leading the charge for Barca, Messi could have had a third goal in injury-time at Camp Nou but allowed Antoine Griezmann, who had a below-par game, to take a penalty.
Lauding the little Argentine, coach Ronald Koeman said, “He’s the best in the world, he never lets up.”
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“If he lowers his concentration you never notice. Hopefully, he stays for many more years.”
Still fresh from their triumph in the Copa del Rey last weekend, Barca are now in the hunt for the league double, sitting five points behind Atletico Madrid but still with a game in hand.
Earlier in the day, Barca released a statement saying they are still part of the breakaway competition, even after 9 of the 12 involved clubs have officially withdrawn.
Meanwhile, Getafe were wearing t-shirts in protest against the European Super League, even as they gave Barcelona a guard of honour to mark the Catalans’ cup success.
In the eighth minute, Messi weaved his magic as he was slid through by a piercing pass from Sergio Busquets and the Argentine sent a shot into the far top corner, despite a touch from Getafe goalkeeper David Soria.
Yet Getafe were level four minutes later as Angel met Marc Cucurella’s cross and the ball cannoned off the unsuspecting Clement Lenglet and flew in.
Messi now has 33 goals in all competitions and 25 in the league, one more than the total scored by the whole Getafe team.
Another own-goal restored Barca’s lead, this one more avoidable, with Sofian Chakla failing to spot Soria coming out before passing the ball beyond the goalkeeper and into his own net.
When Messi struck home the third goal the game looked secured. Lenglet’s looping header gave him the chance to volley left-footed against the far post but the ball arrowed back to the striker, who finished from the angle with his right.
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Getafe teed up a nervy last 20 minutes when Ronald Araujo, on as a substitute, trod on the ankle of Enes Unal, who scored the penalty to give the visitors hope.
But Barcelona pulled away with two late goals, Araujo heading in a corner from Messi, who then passed up the chance to score his hattrick by giving Griezmann his first of the night.
Getafe are not safe yet, four points the gap above the bottom three.
Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid moved back to the top of the table thanks to goals from Angel Correa and Yannick Carrasco against Huesca.
On Wednesday, Real Madrid also saw off Cadiz 3-0, proving there is no margin for error now in a thrilling battle for the title.
