However, the Argentine international's key moments came
after an incredible miss in the first-half from less than three-yards out.
With the scores level at 0-0, midfielder Cesc Fabregas found
his teammates with a perfect diagonal header over the defence in the box.
However, Messi was for once unable to convert, missing his shot with an
acrobatic air-kick.
It didn't make a difference for the La Liga leaders in the
end though, after Odion Ighalo had given the hosts a shock first-half
advantage.
Messi pounced after an initial shot from Fabregas was saved
on 50 minutes, scoring his 300th career goal for Barca in the process.
And, the maestro made it 301 in the 73rd minute, curling a
beautiful free-kick past the keeper to restore a 15-point gap at the top of the
table for the Catalan giants.
Atletico Madrid can chip that back down to 12 with a win
today (Sunday), whilst Barca boss Tito Vilanova will turn his attention to AC
Milan in the Champions League
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