Lionel Messi's 400th goal boosts Barca title bid in Valencia win

Barcelona's Lionel Messi hit his 400th career goal for the La Liga leaders deep into stoppage time to seal a 2-0 win over Valencia.

It took Luis Suarez just 54 seconds to break the deadlock as he completed a great team counter-attack, latching onto Messi’s pass before slotting the ball past Diego Alves.

Valencia missed a golden chance to equalise in the 10th minute when Dani Parejo's penalty was saved by Claudio Bravo after Gerard Pique had barged into the back of Rodrigo Moreno.

The visitors dominated the remainder of the first-half but couldn’t find a leveller. Paco Alcacer narrowly missed the goal on 19 minutes before striking the post just past the half-hour mark.

Barcelona held on to the break and emerged the stronger side from the restart. They went close to doubling their lead on 63 minutes when Messi’s free-kick effort hit the woodwork.

Pedro saw a late effort saved as Barca looked to put added gloss on an already polished performance but Messi scored in stoppage time to ensure Barca moved five points at the top of the table.

1’ – GOAL! Barcelona 1-0 Valencia. Barcelona are ahead after 54 seconds! Suarez with the goal! It came from a sweeping counter-attack from the hosts after Pique made a crucial intervention to break up a dangerous Valencia attack, Busquets took the ball forward in midfield and fed Messi who then played a simple through pass to Suarez and the Uruguay international slotted the ball into the corner of the net.

8’ - PENALTY TO VALENCIA! Pique has fouled Rodrigo and the referee correctly points to the spot!

9’ - SAVE! Parejo's penalty is really poor and Bravo easily saves the effort!

17’ - WIDE! Valencia miss yet another glorious chance! Parejo is involved again as he plays a squared pass to Alcacer in the penalty area but his flicked effort narrowly go wide of the post!

32’ - POST! Oh my goodness, what does Valencia have to do to score? Alcacer finds some space on the edge of the penalty area, he shoots but the ball smashes off the post and back out towards the corner flag.

40’ - WIDE! Messi somehow misses from a few yards with the goal gaping after the ball fell into his path from a wonderful team move. He will be kicking himself that he didn't double Barcelona's advantage.

63’ - CROSSBAR! A wonderful effort from Messi but he can't find the net as his free-kick curls over the wall but straight onto the woodwork and over.

90’+4 – GOAL! Barcelona 2-0 Valencia. The visitors are caught cold as one simple long pass sees Messi through one-on-one with the goalkeeper, he sees his first attempt saved but the rebound falls kindly for the Argentine who tapped the ball into an empty net.

Barcelona have only lost one of their last 16 league games against Valencia (W11 D4).

Suárez scored Barcelona's fastest goal in the league since Iniesta netted after 44 seconds against Recreativo Huelva on 11 April 2009.

A tired Barcelona overcome fiery Valencia. Luis Enrique’s side looked tired throughout the 90 minutes and any wonder, three tough fixtures in just seven days would take its toll on any team. With hard work, determination and good fortune, Barcelona got the job done, however, taking a step closer to securing the La Liga title in the process. Valencia will rue their missed chances in the first-half – particularly Daniel Parejo’s missed penalty.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Gerard Pique (Barcelona): The centre back made a number of vital interventions to prevent Valencia from getting on the score-sheet to make amends for conceding an early penalty.

Barcelona: Bravo 7, Alves 7, Pique 9, Mathieu 7, Adriano 7, Mascherano 8, Xavi 7, Busquets 8, Messi 8, Suarez 8, Neymar 6. Subs: Rakitic 6, Pedro 7, Roberto 6.

Valencia: Alves 7, Barragan 7, Mustafi 7, Otamendi 8, Orban 7, Fuego 7, Parejo 7, Andre Gomes 6, Feghouli 6, Alcacer 7, Rodrigo 7. Subs: Concelo 6, Negredo 7, Gaya 6.