Lionel Messi scored twice as Barcelona bounced back from heir Champions League defeat by Internazionale to win 4-1 away to Villarreal and thus maintain their lead in La Liga.
Messi, Xavi and Bojan Krkic wrapped up the result in the first half with World Player of the Year Messi scoring again shortly before the final whistle to take his league total for the season to 29. Joseba Llorente had earlier pulled back a consolation strike for the hosts.
Later coach Pep Guardiola was full of praise for Xavi who played despite having injured a calf muscle against Inter. Guardiola said: “If Xavi had aggravated his injury it could force him to miss the World Cup. That commitment to this club makes him s an example for everyone. For this reason he deserves to be recognised as the greatest midfielder in the club’s history.”
Real Madrid stayed on Barcelona’s heels after Cristiano Ronaldo grabbed an 89th-minute goal to earn a 3-2 comeback victory over Osasuna. It was Ronaldo’s second goal of the game and his 22nd of the season.
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