BARCELONA – Rampant unbeaten leaders Barcelona ended the first half of the La Liga season with a record 55 of a possible 57 points when Lionel Messi scored one goal and had a hand in two more in a 3-1 win at Malaga on Sunday.
Report by Reuters
An 18th victory in 19 games for Tito Vilanova’s side in an entertaining match at the Rosaleda restored their 11-point lead over second-placed Atletico Madrid, who earlier secured a 10th win in 10 home matches this term with a 2-0 success against Real Zaragoza.
Barça’s win also extended their lead over arch rivals Real Madrid to 18 points after the champions, mired in third, were held to a 0-0 draw at bottom side Osasuna on Saturday.
Malaga have the meanest defence in the league, but a howler by Ignacio Camacho gifted Barça their opener in the 27th minute.
Messi intercepted the midfielder’s wayward back pass and after leaving Malaga goalkeeper Willy Caballero sprawling on the floor stroked the ball into an empty net.
It was the World Player of the Year’s 28th league goal of the campaign and the ninth straight game he has scored, a personal record and one short of the La Liga mark last achieved in the 1996-1997 season by former Barça striker Ronaldo.
Messi sent Fabregas clear to double the visitors’ lead five minutes after the break and then laid the ball into space for substitute Thiago Alcantara to add an 82nd-minute third.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Diego Buonanotte, another substitute, curled in a free kick for Malaga a minute from time, but it was far too late for the Andalusians, who slip to fifth behind Real Betis.
Barça’s points haul for the first half of the season is a record for Spain’s top flight and they set another La Liga best by scoring for the 37th match in a row.
Resurgent Atletico go into the second half of the season with a perfect home record after Tiago and Radamel Falcao scored to help see off Zaragoza.
The comfortable victory at the Calderon means Atletico have won 10 La Liga home games on the trot for the first time in almost 40 years.
They stretched their advantage over third-placed city rivals Real Madrid to seven points and their improvement under Argentine coach Diego Simeone can be gauged by the fact that they were 23 points behind Real at the same stage last term.
Tiago nodded Atletico ahead in the 31st minute and Falcao doubled their lead from the penalty spot seven minutes later after Arda Turan was felled by Cristian Sapunaru.
