Lionel Messi scored a brace as Barcelona defeated Catalan rivals Espanyol 2-0 in Saturday afternoon’s derby clash at Camp Nou.
The Argentinian forward settled a cagey affair with his strikes in the final 20 minutes – the first an incredible free kick and the second a sweeping finish at the end of a quick counter.
Barca were below par until their main man stepped up, with Messi’s double taking them 13 points clear of Atletico Madrid after playing a game more than their closest title challengers.
Lionel Messi is crowded out by players during the derby clash between Barcelona and Espanyol on March 30, 2019
Messi uncharacteristically wasted a couple of half-decent opportunities in the goalless first half, firing the ball into Naldo in front of goal early on and then guiding a shot wide from a good position after a deflected pass landed nicely in his path.
The matchwinner nearly made a telling impact on the first half, though, as his free kick was glanced goalwards by an Espanyol player, forcing Diego Lopez into the only notable save of the opening period.
Ivan Rakitic also sent a bullet shot inches wide of the target from 25 yards and Luis Suarez fired the ball into the side-netting, but Espanyol otherwise did enough to keep their opponents at arm’s length.
Despite having just 28% of the ball before half time, the visitors attempted to get forward as often as they could, without creating a chance of any sort.
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Goalscoring chances also proved hard to come by in the second half, with Jordi Alba failing to find the target.