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Rediff.com  » Sports » La Liga PHOTOS: Messi's 400th goal boosts Barca title bid

La Liga PHOTOS: Messi's 400th goal boosts Barca title bid

April 18, 2015 22:17 IST
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Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona

Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona performs an overhead kick under a challenge by Nicolas Otamendi of Valencia. Photograph: David Ramos/Getty Images

Barcelona's Lionel Messi hit his 400th career goal for the La Liga leaders deep into stoppage time to seal a 2-0 win over a Valencia side that will rue their missed chances on Saturday.

Barca's Uruguay striker Luis Suarez continued his lethal form with a low strike inside the area after being set up by Messi with less than a minute on the clock.

Messi scored on the counter-attack deep into added time for his landmark 400th goal, knocking the ball into the net after his first shot was saved by keeper Diego Alves.

Luis Suarez of FC Barcelona celebrates

Luis Suarez of FC Barcelona celebrates after scoring the opening goal. Photograph: David Ramos/Getty Images

Barca are now five points clear of Real Madrid who play Malaga at home later on Saturday when third-placed Atletico Madrid can now open a four-point gap over Valencia, who are fourth, when they take on Deportivo La Coruna.

Valencia had missed a golden chance to equalise in the 10th minute when Dani Parejo's penalty was saved by Claudio Bravo after Gerard Pique had barged into the back of Rodrigo Moreno.

Valencia's Paco Alcacer also hit a post as Barcelona hung on and then in a second half which was played at a slower tempo Messi also struck the woodwork with a free-kick.

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Source: REUTERS
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