Messi helps Barca win all 3 points in the 90th minute

Messi scored both goals in Barca's 2-1 win over Leganes, including a dramatic penalty kick in the final minute of play.

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Goals: Messi 4', 90' penalty - Unai Lopez 71'

The No. 10 striker converted the penalty with a precise shot into the top corner after Leganes centre-back Mantovani fouled Neymar in the box. The goal helped Barca win the match with just a few minutes of stoppage time remaining, while also reducing the gap to leaders Real Madrid to one point.

Before that, Messi opened the scoring when he tapped in from close range from a cross by Luis Suarez. Leganes also played very resiliently and created a surprise in the 71st minute, when Unai Lopez took advantage of Sergi Roberto's mistake to equalize 1-1.

Messi and Barca recover after heavy defeat to PSG in Champions League. Photo: Reuters

Barca's 4-0 defeat to PSG in the Champions League last week may have left a huge mental scar on their shoulders. Playing against Leganes, who are fourth from bottom in La Liga, the defending champions failed to maintain their concentration throughout the 90 minutes. Apart from the two situations that led to goals, Barca's players often lacked coordination and made many defensive mistakes.

Leganes could have drawn the game with a better finish. They had two chances to level the score at 1-1 in the first half, but Nabil El Zhar missed both in the 17th and 45th minutes. In the third minute of injury time of the second half, he also squandered a chance to level the score at 2-2, swiping the ball just wide of the goal.

In a difficult situation, Messi's scoring ability once again became Barca's savior. In the fourth minute, this player moved reasonably to receive a cross from Suarez, before tapping in to open the score. When Barca was awarded a penalty in the 90th minute, Messi himself took responsibility and completed it with a cool finish.

Neymar had no less a role than Messi in creating both goals. In the opening goal, the striker wearing the number 11 shirt passed the ball to the wing for Suarez to cross into the penalty area. When Barca faced the risk of being held back, Neymar continued to shine when he made a tricky dribble that forced defender Mantovani to commit a foul.

Neymar excellently created both goals for Messi.

Goalkeeper Ter Stegen also played an important role for Barca. In the 17th and 45th minutes, the goalkeeper blocked three chances from El Zhar. After the break, Ter Stegen continued to frustrate Leganes by blocking Guerrero's shot.

The only goal conceded by Barca was not Ter Stegen's fault, but Sergi Roberto's careless dribbling. After this situation, Machis passed the ball like a set piece for Unai Lopez to finish in Barca's penalty area.

After the dramatic win, Barca have 51 points from 23 games. This is only one point behind the leader Real. Real now have two games left to play, including the match against Valencia this midweek.

Unai Lopez almost brought a point for Leganes with a goal to equalize 1-1.

According to VNE