Messi overtakes Pele's goal record as Atletico cement Liga lead

Messi struck his 644th purpose for Barca, yet another than Brazil legend Pele scored for Santos, within the 65th minute of a routine win for Ronald Koeman’s facet, who’re fifth in La Liga after the win and eight factors behind leaders Atletico.

Barca began on the entrance foot on the Jose Zorrilla Stadium, with Messi flashing a curling huge within the seventh minute and forcing an excellent save from Jordi Masip within the 20th minute.

Barca took the lead seconds later when Messi clipped over a ravishing cross which France defender Clement Lenglet headed house.

Martin Braithwaite gave the away facet a deserved second 14 minutes later, Messi slipping via Sergio Dest who rolled over an ideal low cross for the Danish worldwide to faucet house.

Messi, who has appeared out of types this season after attempting to depart the membership in the summertime, received the landmark purpose his wonderful efficiency deserved with a easy end after bursting via to gather Pedri’s delicate backheeled help.

The simple win places Barca two factors behind Sociedad and fourth-placed Villarreal, who draw 1-1 at house with Athletic Bilbao.

Atleti keep prime

Earlier second-half objectives from Mario Hermoso and Marcos Llorente earned Atletico an enormous win away at a Sociedad workforce that began the fixture three factors off the lead however at the moment are six again in third after their third straight league defeat.

Diego Simeone’s facet are three away from second-placed Actual Madrid, who can transfer stage once more with their metropolis rivals with a house win over Granada on Wednesday.

Atletico know that nonetheless Madrid fare that they’ll have performed two fewer video games than the reigning champions, whereas Sociedad have performed three video games greater than the leaders.

The win was Simeone’s 300th league win as Atletico coach.

“It is means rather a lot, actually rather a lot,” the Argentine stated.

“I got here right here with the thought of taking Atletico to the summit of the sport … I am unable to thank the membership sufficient for what they’ve given me.”

Sociedad have been the higher facet within the first half however could not carve a goalscoring alternative in a gap interval with no shot on course.

Atletico went forward simply three minutes after the break when Hermoso discovered himself unmarked within the space and completely met Yannick Carrasco’s free-kick to ship a header flying into the underside nook.

Atletico sealed the factors with 16 minutes remaining, Llorente lashing house when the ball fell to him on the sting of the realm to finish a textbook away efficiency.

Sevilla are sixth, 9 factors behind Atletico after Suso fired them to a 1-Zero win at struggling Valencia.

Suso gave the Andalusians the factors with a thumping strike within the 81st minute after charging via to gather a Joan Jordan via ball.

Valencia are 13th and only a level above the relegation zone after their sixth consecutive league match with no win.

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