BARCELONA (REUTERS) - Lionel Messi created a goal and scored another, as Barcelona came from behind to beat struggling Rayo Vallecano 3-1 at home on Saturday (March 9) and stay seven points clear at the top of the Spanish La Liga table.
Rayo, who have now lost their last 12 games against Barca, took a shock lead midway through the first half when forward Raul de Thomas - who is on loan from Real Madrid - ran past two defenders before arrowing a shot into the bottom corner.
The Madrid side's unlikely lead at the Nou Camp lasted just a quarter of an hour and ended when Messi whipped in a free kick for Gerard Pique to appear unmarked and head home.
Barca won a penalty early in the second half when Luis Suarez was fouled and Messi converted to put the league leaders in front and the Uruguayan forward made sure of the points with a simple finish from close range in the 82nd minute.
Coach Ernesto Valverde started without Ousmane Dembele and Ivan Rakitic but fielded an otherwise first-choice starting XI even with a Champions League last-16 second leg against Lyon coming up on Wednesday.
The win restored Barca's seven-point gap over nearest challengers Atletico Madrid, who earned a 1-0 victory at home to Leganes earlier.
Rayo are 19th in the standings and two points from escaping the drop zone as the pressure mounts on coach Michel.
BARCELONA, March 9 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi created a goal and scored another as Barcelona came from behind to beat struggling Rayo Vallecano 3-1 at home on Messi shines as Barca survive scare
Messi shines as Barca survive scare to see off Rayo
Football: Lionel Messi shines as Barcelona survive scare to see off Rayo and retain 7-point lead over Atletico
Football: Messi shines as Barca survive scare to see off Rayo
The win, which followed successive victories over Real Madrid in the league and Copa del Rey, restored Barca's seven-point gap over nearest challengers Atletico Madrid, who earned a 1-0 victory at home to Leganes. Rayo are 19th in the standings and two points from escaping the drop zone as the pressure mounts on coach Michel.
Messi shines as Barca survive scare to see off Rayo | Free
Messi shines as Barca survive scare to see off Rayo Barcelona, Spain - March 9, 2019 Barcelona's Lionel Messi in action REUTERS/Albert Gea restored Barca's seven-point gap over nearest
Messi shines as Barca survive scare to see off Rayo Lionel Messi created a goal and scored another as Barcelona came from behind to beat struggling Rayo Vallecano 3-1 at home on Saturday and stay seven points clear at the top of La Liga.
Messi shines as Barca survive scare to see off Rayo
IMAGE: Barcelona's Lionel Messi in action. Photograph: Albert Gea /Reuters. Lionel Messi created a goal and scored another as Barcelona came from behind to beat struggling Rayo Vallecano 3-1 at home on Saturday and stay seven points clear at the top of La Liga.
Messi shines as Barca survive scare to see off Rayo - Egypt Today
Lionel Messi created a goal and scored another as Barcelona came from behind to beat struggling Rayo Vallecano 3-1 at home on Saturday and stay seven points clear at the top of La Liga.
Messi shines as Barca survive scare to see off Rayo
Messi shines as Barca survive scare to see off Rayo. Barcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates scoring their second goal from the penalty spot with Arturo Vidal at Camp
La Liga: Messi shines as Barca survive scare to see off Rayo
BARCELONA, 11 March 2019: Lionel Messi created a goal and scored another as Barcelona came from behind to beat struggling Rayo Vallecano 3-1 at home on Saturday and stay seven points clear at the top of La Liga. Rayo, who have now lost their last 12 games against Barca, took a shock lead midway
Messi shines as Barca survive scare to see off Rayo - Reuters
BARCELONA: Lionel Messi created a goal and scored another as Barcelona came from behind to beat struggling Rayo Vallecano 3-1 at home on Saturday and stay seven points clear at the top of La Liga
Soccer: Messi shines as Barca survive scare to see off Rayo
Football: Lionel Messi shines as Barcelona survive scare to
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