🇪🇸 Messi keeps Barcelona title hopes alive in five-goal thriller | OneFootball

Barcelona kept their title hopes alive after launching an impressive second half comeback to beat Valencia 3-2 at Mestalla Stadium.

Scorers: Gabriel 50′, Soler 83′; Messi 57′, 69′, Griezmann 63′

In what was a cagey first half, Ronald Araújo came closest to breaking the deadlock but his close range volley was saved well by Jesper Cillessen.

But Valencia were ahead shortly after the break through Gabriel Paulista, who escaped his marker and headed into an empty net with Marc André ter Stegen stranded.

Barcelona fought back almost instantly when Lionel Messi saw another spot-kick saved by Cillessen before slotting home from the ensuing goalmouth scramble.

Then Antoine Griezmann was on hand to continue his good run of form, tapping in after Cillessen – yet again – did brilliantly to save from Frenkie de Jong.

Messi completed an incredible 12 minutes by doing what Messi does best, curling a stunning free-kick into the corner after he was fouled by Carlos Soler.

Soler scored a 25-yard-stunner late with minutes remaining to test some Barça nerves, but they held out for all three points and kept their title ambitions intact.