<div align="justify">Barcelona closed to within two points of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga as Lionel Messi scored twice in a thrilling 4-2 win over 10-man Valencia at Camp Nou.<br /><br />Earlier, Antoine Griezmann scored a stunning free-kick as Atletico Madrid compounded a week to forget for Sevilla with a 3-1 at the Vicente Calderon yesterday.<br /><br />Barca needed to come from behind to keep the pressure on Madrid as Eliaquim Mangala headed Valencia in front.<br /><br />But the on-loan Manchester City defender was sent-off for pulling down Luis Suarez after the Uruguayan had levelled and Messi smashed home the resulting penalty.<br /><br />Munir El Haddadi briefly levelled for the 10 men before half-time, but Messi and finally Andre Gomes with his first Barca goal sealed the three points.<br /><br />Madrid still also have a game in hand over their title rivals. Outgoing Barca coach Luis Enrique named the same side that beat Paris Saint-Germain 6-1 10 days ago to progress to the Champions League quarter-finals in stunning fashion.<br /><br />And whilst not matching that drama, there was no shortage of action as Valencia showed up the defensive flaws in Enrique's new 3-4-3 system.<br /><br />Messi had already had an effort cleared off the line, whilst Mats-Andre ter Stegen made a stunning save from Carlos Soler at the other end before an action packed final 15 minutes of the first-half saw four goals and a red card.<br /><br />Barca's weakness from set-pieces was exposed again a week on from conceding twice from corners in a 2-1 defeat at Deportivo la Coruna when Mangala powered home Dani Parejo's corner to open the scoring.<br /><br />The lead lasted just six minutes as Suarez raced onto Neymar's throw-in to slot into the far corner. Mangala went from hero to villain as he then pulled down Suarez inside the area to concede a penalty and be sent-off.<br /><br />Messi beat penalty specialist Diego Alves from the spot. However, straight from kick-off Barca were caught cold as Jose Gaya teed up Munir El Haddadi to score against his parent club for the second time this season.<br /><br />The champions still had 45 minutes to make their man advantage count, though, and they did so despite missing a host of chances after the break. Messi drilled home at Alves's near post seven minutes into the second period for his 41st goal of the season.<br /><br />Suarez somehow slotted wide with the goal gaping after Alves had denied Messi his hat-trick, whilst Neymar hit the bar. But Barca finally put the game to bed a minute from time when Neymar crossed for Gomes to tap home against his old side.</div>
<div align="justify">Barcelona closed to within two points of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga as Lionel Messi scored twice in a thrilling 4-2 win over 10-man Valencia at Camp Nou.<br /><br />Earlier, Antoine Griezmann scored a stunning free-kick as Atletico Madrid compounded a week to forget for Sevilla with a 3-1 at the Vicente Calderon yesterday.<br /><br />Barca needed to come from behind to keep the pressure on Madrid as Eliaquim Mangala headed Valencia in front.<br /><br />But the on-loan Manchester City defender was sent-off for pulling down Luis Suarez after the Uruguayan had levelled and Messi smashed home the resulting penalty.<br /><br />Munir El Haddadi briefly levelled for the 10 men before half-time, but Messi and finally Andre Gomes with his first Barca goal sealed the three points.<br /><br />Madrid still also have a game in hand over their title rivals. Outgoing Barca coach Luis Enrique named the same side that beat Paris Saint-Germain 6-1 10 days ago to progress to the Champions League quarter-finals in stunning fashion.<br /><br />And whilst not matching that drama, there was no shortage of action as Valencia showed up the defensive flaws in Enrique's new 3-4-3 system.<br /><br />Messi had already had an effort cleared off the line, whilst Mats-Andre ter Stegen made a stunning save from Carlos Soler at the other end before an action packed final 15 minutes of the first-half saw four goals and a red card.<br /><br />Barca's weakness from set-pieces was exposed again a week on from conceding twice from corners in a 2-1 defeat at Deportivo la Coruna when Mangala powered home Dani Parejo's corner to open the scoring.<br /><br />The lead lasted just six minutes as Suarez raced onto Neymar's throw-in to slot into the far corner. Mangala went from hero to villain as he then pulled down Suarez inside the area to concede a penalty and be sent-off.<br /><br />Messi beat penalty specialist Diego Alves from the spot. However, straight from kick-off Barca were caught cold as Jose Gaya teed up Munir El Haddadi to score against his parent club for the second time this season.<br /><br />The champions still had 45 minutes to make their man advantage count, though, and they did so despite missing a host of chances after the break. Messi drilled home at Alves's near post seven minutes into the second period for his 41st goal of the season.<br /><br />Suarez somehow slotted wide with the goal gaping after Alves had denied Messi his hat-trick, whilst Neymar hit the bar. But Barca finally put the game to bed a minute from time when Neymar crossed for Gomes to tap home against his old side.</div>