Messi powers Barcelona to triumph

Nov 29, 2008 - 11:58 PM By PA SportsTicker

Two late Lionel Messi goals helped Barcelona to a 3-0 win at Sevilla on Saturday which stretches its lead over Real Madrid to six points at the top of the Primera Liga.

After Real had lost, 3-1, away to neighbors Getafe in Saturday's only other Spanish match, Barcelona was indebted first to Samuel Eto'o - who put it 1-0 up in the 20th minute with a smart finish after the ball broke fortunately for him.

Despite a Sevilla rally - and a near miss when Fredi Kanoute hit the bar late in the first half - the scoreline was unchanged until 12 minutes from time when Messi struck for the first time, with neat control and a left-footed shot.

The Argentinian forward made it three in the last minute - running on to Aleksander Hleb's pass and rounding goalkeeper Andres Palop to slot into the empty net - by which time Sevilla was down to 10 men, Luis Fabiano dismissed in the 86th for an elbow on Sergio Busquets.

Earlier, Juan Albin was the star of the show as Getafe upset Real to make it a miserable return to his former club for Bernd Schuster.

Albin struck twice at the start of each half and also set up substitute Ike Uche for Getafe's third as the small club from the outskirts of Madrid prevented its more illustrious neighbors from moving level with Barcelona - for an hour or so at least.

Javier Saviola pulled a goal back for Madrid, but the champions can have no complaints about the result - and the scoreline could even have been even more embarrassing for Schuster and Company.