Valencia 0-1 Barcelona: Lionel Messi Edges Blaugrana To Ten-Point Advantage In La Liga

A Lionel Messi goal fifteen minutes from time handed Barcelona yet another three points against Valencia at the Mestalla this evening, and opened up a ten-point gap at the top of the Primera Division table.

The Argentine pounced on an Adriano pass to slot home and widen the gap over rivals Real Madrid, who face Malaga on Thursday, while Los Che’s eleven game unbeaten run in the league is brought to an end.

Pep Guardiola had never triumphed at the Mestalla as boss of the Blaugrana in the Primera Division, but knew that a win would send his side a mammoth ten points clear at the summit.

After enduring the ascendancy of the hosts during a vibrant early spell, he watched as his side squandered opportunities to earn a deserved lead, and uncharacteristically, it was Europe’s top scorer Lionel Messi who was guilty of being wasteful in front of goal.

Early on, the Argentine ran clear only to be faced by a combination of Ricardo Costa and ‘keeper Vicente Guaita, and was denied by the duo on three separate efforts, all from within eight yards of the goal.

Then, after pouncing on a defensive error from Angel Dealbert, he sprinted through on goal but despite having the goal at his mercy, lobbed his shot over Guaita, but also over the crossbar.

The match was tight and tactical, and home boss Unai Emery attempted to inject some attacking verve, introducing Roberto Soldado, and the former Real Madrid charge made an immediate effect.

He volleyed a stinging volley across Jose Pinto’s goal that drifted wide of the far post, then he and Juan Mata combined to set up a chance for Pablo Hernandez, but his shot curled inches wide of the far post.

Guardiola shuffled his starting eleven, replacing Javier Mascherano with Pedro.

After Messi proved at times incapable of finding the net, he proved that even when not at his best, he can make the difference for the champions.

With fifteen minutes remaining, an enterprising run from Adriano on the left saw the Brazilian cut inside and slide a pass into Messi’s path, who struck towards the corner, and despite the best efforts of Guaita, the ball dribbled into the net.

It was the winner that Guardiola had been searching for, and the drive had been knocked from Emery’s team. They were unable to create another opportunity on goal, and as a result Barca edge ever closer to clinching their third consecutive league title.