Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi strike against Osasuna as Barca close gap on Real Madrid

Lionel Messi went to the top of the Pichichi standings with a double as Barcelona broke down a stubborn Osasuna side to close the gap on Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.

Luis Enrique’s team dominated throughout and should have been out of sight by half-time, with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez both passing up golden opportunities in front of goal as bottom side Osasuna held on for dear life.

But the Uruguayan finally found the breakthrough after the hour mark, tapping home from close range after good work by Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets and Messi.

Messi doubled Barcelona’s advantage in similar fashion, turning home Alba’s cross from close range to secure the points for the visitors, adding a third in stoppage time. The gap at the top of La Liga now stands at three points, with Real Madrid playing Deportivo La Coruna later this evening.

Enrique has been criticised in recent weeks for his rotation of the Barcelona squad. However, for the trip to bottom side Osasuna he selected what looked to be his strongest possible side. Andre Gomes was favoured over Ivan Rakitic, with Samuel Umtiti in for Javier Mascherano. So is this the look of things to come for the Catalans? Was this the champions at their strongest?

The midfielder backed up his impressive performance in the Clasico with another strong display. Busquets has fallen short of his high standards for much of the season, but he was back to his best against Osasuna. He gives Barcelona’s more attack-minded players the freedom they need to do their thing in the final. Busquets is a one-man midfield all on his own.

Osasuna - Nauzet 8, Oier 5, Flano 6, Alvarez 6, Clerc 4, Causic 5, Torres 6, De Las Cuevas 6, Berenguer 5, Riera 6, Leon 8. Subs - Garcia 5, Bonnin 4, Kodro 4.

Barcelona - Ter Stegen 6, Roberto 7, Pique 5, Umtiti 5, Alba 8, Busquets 8, Gomes 7, Iniesta 7, Messi 8, Arda 6, Suarez 7. Subs - Rafinha 4, Denis 6.

8’ BIG CHANCE FOR SUAREZ! Messi picked out the run of his teammate in behind the Osasuna defence, with his first touch setting him up for the shot. But Suarez sends it wide of the far post.

11’ OFF THE POST! Alba gets down the left side and squares a pass for Suarez inside the box. He controls with his back to goal, then swivels with the shot. He hits the bottom of the post, though.

14’ MESSI SHOULD HAVE SCORED! How are Barcelona not ahead in this game? Suarez played a lovely little reverse pass for Messi, but Nauzet makes the save to deny the Argentine.

34’ LET OFF FOR BARCELONA! First chance of the match for Osasuna, and it was a good one! De Las Cuevas sent a pass to the back post, but Riera couldn't force it home on the slide.

51’ OSASUNA HIT THE BAR! That was a sensational piece of play. Leon accelerated past two Barca players on the break, then attempts a long range chip. He is denied only by the bar!

59’ GOAL! Osasuna 0-1 Barcelona: There's the breakthrough! Barcelona finally have the lead. Busquets, Alba and Messi all combine to set up Suarez for a tap in from about two yards out.

72’ GOAL! Osasuna 0-2 Barcelona: And that should be that. Barcelona have a two-goal lead and that will be them out of sight. Alba was involved again and his time it's Messi who finishes it off.

92’ GOAL! Osasuna 0-3 Barcelona: And there's the third goal of the match and Messi's second. That goal takes the Argentine to the top of the Pichichi standings with his 11th Liga goal of the season.

The last time Barcelona lost against a team sitting bottom of the table was against Espanyol on in the 2008/09 season.

Osasuna have won just one of their last 11 Liga games against Barcelona, failing to score in seven of those games.

Barcelona’s last four Liga games have all been goalless at half time.

Messi has scored 17 goals in his last nine Liga appearances against Osasuna.