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Messi keeps his cool on Saturday in La Liga

Xinhua, October 23, 2016 Adjust font size:

Leo Messi scored an injury time penalty to give Barcelona a dramatic 3-2 win in a tense match in Valencia's Mestalla Stadium.

Barca had taken a first half lead through the Argentinean, a series of fine saves from Diego Alves kept Valencia in the game and Barca paid for missing chances when goals from former striker, Munir and Rodrigo turned the score around in 6 second half minutes.

Luis Suarez leveled just after the hour and the last 30 minutes saw both sides go for the win. However, just when a draw seemed on the cards Abdennour's rash challenge on Suarez set up Messi for the dramatic finish.

The game ended with tension as Neymar was hit by a bottle as the Barca players celebrated the goal, while others appeared to be hit by other objects throw from the stands.

The day kicked off with a 'game of two halves' in Barcelona as Espanyol and Eibar shared six goals.

Eibar lead 3-0 at halftime thanks to goals from Sergi Enrich, a Diego Reyes own goal and a 44th minute strike from Kike Gonzalez, but Espanyol reacted in the second half and assured a share of the points with goals from Hernan Perez, Pablo Piatti and a last minute goal from Leo Baptistao.

Real Sociedad won a decaffeinated Basque derby 3-0 at home to a poor Deportivo Alaves who were second best from start to finish in the Anoeta Stadium.

Xabi Prieto scored a first half header to give the home side the lead and second half goals from Willian Jose and Carlos Vela rounded off what turned out to be a very routine Real Sociedad win.

Finally Granada and Sporting produced a dreadful 0-0 draw which leaves Granada bottom without a win and Sporting in the relegation zone. Endit