Lionel Messi double keeps Barcelona hopes alive ahead of title-deciding el clasico against Real Madrid

Barcelona's forward Paco Alcacer celebrates a goal with Lionel Messi during the Spanish Primera Liga match against Real Sociedad at Camp Nou in Barcelona on April 15, 2017. Lluis Gene / AFP

BARCELONA // Lionel Messi kept Barcelona’s title hopes alive with two goals and an assist to see off Real Sociedad 3-2 as Spain’s top two edged five-goal thrillers ahead of next weekend’s el clasico.

Earlier on Saturday, Isco struck at the death to keep Real Madrid three points clear and with a game in hand at the top of the table after twice coming from behind to beat Sporting Gijon 3-2.

Barcelona will need Messi on this form if they are to produce another heroic Uefa Champions League fightback against Juventus on Wednesday from a 3-0 first-leg defeat suffered in midweek.

“I am more than happy with the performance of the players and their ability to manage the frustration after what we experienced in the Champions League this week,” Barca manager Luis Enrique told Spanish TV station Movistar.

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The Argentine is now just two off his 500th Barca goal as he smashed home an effort from 25 yards to open the scoring.

Messi then took his tally to 45 goals in 44 games this season with a far less spectacular finish as he bundled home from close range after Geronimo Rulli had saved from Luis Suarez.

However, Barca passed up the chance to enjoy a comfortable evening in a three-goal spell in as many minutes just before half time.

Firstly, Samuel Umtiti turned Inigo Martinez’s driven effort into his own net.

Paco Alcacer, deputising for the suspended Neymar, briefly restored Barca’s two-goal lead with a composed finish from Messi’s pass.

Yet, Sociedad scored again almost straight from kick off as Xabi Prieto cushioned William Jose’s cross into the bottom corner.

Turning his thoughts towards Wednesday’s return leg with Juventus, Enrique said his side were capable of pulling off another improbably comeback at Camp Nou.

The Spanish champions made history by overcoming a 4-0 first-leg deficit by beating Paris Saint-Germain 6-1 in the second leg of their last-16 tie.

“It is obvious it is not our most consistent season, we have struggled more than in other years,” said Enrique, after Barca’s 3-2 win over Real Sociedad on Saturday.

“But this is group of winners and champions capable of anything.

“Anyone who doubts that can switch off the lights on their way out.”

Enrique, who will step down at the end of the season, predicted before the return leg of the PSG tie that has side would at least get back into the tie at some point at Camp Nou.

And he repeated that prediction for the visit of the Italian champions despite Juventus’ excellent defensive record having conceded just two goals in nine Champions League games this season.

“In the previous tie we were able to overcome an even more difficult result, he said. “We will be in the tie at some point of the 90 minutes.

“We need to play a great game and have a clear and precise efficiency in front of goal.”

* Agence France-Presse

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