Barcelona, the unbeaten leaders, ended the first half
of the La Liga season with a record 55 out of a possible 57 points when
Lionel Messi scored one goal and had a hand in two more in a 3-1 win at
Málaga.
An 18th victory in 19 games for Tito Vilanova’s side
restored their 11-point lead over second-placed Atlético Madrid, who
secured a 10th win in 10 home matches this season with a 2-0 success
against Real Zaragoza.
Barça’s win also extended their lead over Real Madrid
to 18 points after the champions, mired in third, were held to a 0-0
draw at the bottom side, Osasuna, on Saturday.
Málaga have the meanest defence in the league but a
howler by Ignacio Camacho handed Barça their opener in the 27th minute.
Messi intercepted the midfielder’s wayward back pass and after leaving
the goalkeeper, Willy Caballero, sprawling on the floor stroked the ball
into an unguarded net.
It was the World Player of the Year’s 28th league
goal of the campaign and the ninth straight game in which he has scored,
a personal record and one short of the La Liga mark last achieved in
the 1996-97 season by the former Barça striker Ronaldo.
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