Lionel Messi hit his 400th goal for La Liga leaders Barcelona deep into stoppage time to seal a 2-0 win over Valencia yesterday while Real Madrid maintained their pursuit by defeating Malaga 3-1.
Uruguay striker Luis Suarez continued his lethal form with a clinical low strike inside the area after being set up by Messi with less than a minute on the clock.
Suarez’s goal followed his midweek double that clinched a 3-1 victory in the Champions League quarter-final first leg at Paris St Germain.
Messi then scored on the counter-attack against Valencia, knocking the ball into the net after his first shot was saved by keeper Diego Alves.
James Rodriguez cracked a 25-metre drive into the top corner but Real’s win came at a cost with Gareth Bale and Luka Modric going off injured.
Real went ahead when Sergio Ramos volleyed home a Cristiano Ronaldo free kick after 24 minutes.
Chances went begging for both sides including a penalty miss by Ronaldo who hit the post after Samuel Castillejo had brought down Rodriguez.
Rodriguez extended Real’s lead with a fine effort after 69 minute but they had barely stopped celebrating when Malaga pulled a goal back with a header from the unmarked Juanmi.
Javier Hernandez then set up Ronaldo to score from close range in injury time.
Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann scored twice, including a spectacular overhead kick, to secure a 2-1 win over Deportivo that strengthened their grip on third place.