BARCELONA: Lionel Messi notched his 250th La Liga goal to move one off the all-time league scoring record as leaders Barcelona won 3-0 against Eibar on Saturday ahead of next weekend’s Clasico with Real Madrid.
Barca needed Xavi to come to the rescue on the hour to finally break the resistance of a resolute Eibar side who are enjoying their first season in the top flight.
Neymar quickly added to the lead and then combined with Messi for the Argentine, who this week celebrated 10 years since his Barca debut, to reach a quarter-century of La Liga goals.
Messi has a chance against Real to beat Telmo Zarra’s record of 251 goals for Athletic Bilbao in the 1940s and ‘50s.
“We found it difficult to get the opener but after that it was a lot easier,” Xavi told reporters. “They were more tired by then but at the same time we were strong defensively and that should be recognised.”
New coach Luis Enrique has strengthened the defence and Barca are still to concede a goal after eight league games.
“Sometimes you score in the first minute but this is football and it just depends. I think we played well,” Xavi added.
Barcelona had plenty of the ball in midfield but they found it difficult to break down a resolute Eibar side.
Messi had a chance midway through the first half which was saved by goalkeeper Xabi Irureta, while Eibar wasted a golden opportunity through Ander Capa who rounded keeper Claudio Bravo but put the ball wide with the goal gaping.
Bravo also did well before the break to block a Saul Berjon strike.
Eibar, with a budget of 18m euros compared to Barca’s 539 million, succeeded in frustrating the home side until Xavi scored and then goals for Neymar and Messi followed as the Eibar players’ heads dropped.
In injury time Messi had a final chance to equal Zarra’s record after combining with Andres Iniesta but Irureta saved well.
REUTERS
