Staff Reporter.
Lionel Messi scored twice as Barcelona beat Elche to move within five points of La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid.
The Argentina forward found the bottom corner to open the scoring from Martin Braithwaite’s backheel after the break.
The 33-year-old then doubled the lead 20 minutes later, finishing smartly after a wonderful solo run and pass from Dutchman Frenkie de Jong.
Jordi Alba wrapped up the win at the Camp Nou shortly after when he converted from Braithwaite’s header.
“This will help our confidence a lot,” said Alba.
“The draw [with Cadiz] was a huge blow to the whole team and showed that if we are not at our 100% best we find it very hard to win. We struggled on Sunday and in the first half here too but we were better in the second and the goals arrived.”
Messi’s double takes him top of the La Liga scoring chart with 18 goals, two more than Luis Suarez.
Barcelona are third in the table behind Atletico and Real Madrid, albeit having played a game more than the leaders.
Sevilla can also move back above them if they win their game in hand.