Messi strikes again as Barca win Clasico 2-0

Lionel Messi’s exquisite finish set Barcelona on their way to a potentially decisive 2-0 win at Real Madrid on Saturday to lift the champions three points clear of their arch-rivals at the top of La Liga.

After his brilliant four-goal Champions League haul against Arsenal on Tuesday, the Argentina forward struck in the 33rd minute at the Bernabeu before Pedro doubled the visitors’ lead in the 56th with a clinical left-foot strike.

Both goals were created by Barca’s Spain midfielder Xavi, the first when he chipped the ball to Messi over the Real defence and the second when he sent Pedro clear to finish with a low strike beyond Iker Casillas.

La Liga top scorer Messi twice came close to adding to his 27 goals of the campaign and Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes was rarely troubled as Real struggled against the European champions’ slick passing game.

The victory puts Barca on 80 points with seven matches left and leaves the big-spending Madrid club, who have 77, facing a season without silverware after their exits from the Champions League and King’s Cup.

It was a fourth straight win in the “Clasico” for Barca coach Pep Guardiola and he becomes the first manager of the Catalan club to claim two straight away wins over Real.