Messi scores two as Barcelona beat Getafe

By BBC Sport

Lionel Messi scored two goals as Barcelona beat Getafe to climb to third in the La Liga table, two points behind second-placed Real Madrid.

Messi broke the deadlock before lowly Getafe equalised through Clement Lenglet’s own goal.

A mix-up between Sofian Chakla and keeper David Soria restored Barca’s lead and Messi made it 3-1.

Enes Unal’s penalty gave Getafe hope but goals by Ronald Araujo and Antoine Griezmann sealed the points.

Barcelona are five points behind leaders Atletico Madrid, who they host on 8 May, but have one game in hand.

Earlier in the day, Barca issued a statement about signing up to the European Super League, stating it was a “historic opportunity” to guarantee football’s financial sustainability.

On the pitch, Ronald Koeman’s side turned on the style in an incident-packed first half which saw Messi hit the bar and the post for the 2021 Copa del Rey winners.

However, they struggled after half-time and lived dangerously until late goals by substitute Araujo and Griezmann, from the penalty spot, secured the win.