Pro Sports

Messi ties Xavi's record as Barcelona cuts AtlÃ©tico's lead

Posted March 15, 2021 7:00 am

By TALES AZZONI

Barcelona's Oscar Mingueza, center left, celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and Huesca at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Monday, March 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort) The Associated Press

MADRID (AP) - Lionel Messi scored twice as he tied Xavi HernÃ¡ndez's record of most appearances for Barcelona on Monday, putting them within four points of the Spanish league lead after beating last-placed Huesca 4-1.

For his 767th match, Messi was honored by Barcelona with a large image behind one of the goals showing him embracing Xavi as the players looked forward and pointed upward. The banner included the words "767 matches" and 'œtouching the sky.'ť

'œIt's incredible,'ť Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman said. 'œHis impact on this team is enormous. It's amazing what he has done for this club up until now.'ť

Antoine Griezmann and Ã“scar Mingueza also scored at the Camp Nou Stadium as the Catalan club won its fourth straight league match to increase the pressure on leader AtlÃ©tico Madrid.

AtlÃ©tico, seeking its first league title since 2014, had a comfortable lead until recently, having won only two of its last six league games. It was held to 0-0 at Getafe on Saturday.

Diego Simeone's team will visit Barcelona in May.

'œWe always said we wouldn't give up,'ť Barcelona midfielder Pedri GonzÃ¡lez said. 'œWe have a good squad that can keep fighting for this title and we have momentum on our side.'ť

Barcelona, coming off elimination by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last 16, was in control from the start on Monday.

Messi scored in each half for his 130th double in the league. He opened the scoring with a shot into the top corner after a nifty one-touch to clear a defender just outside the area in the 13th minute, then closed the scoring with another shot from outside the area in the 90th.

The Argentine playmaker has 21 league goals, three more than AtlÃ©tico's Luis SuÃ¡rez at the top of the scoring list.

Barcelona kept pressing and nearly added to the lead when Jordi Alba hit the crossbar in the 33rd, and a couple of minutes later Griezmann added his goal with a well-struck curling shot into the top corner past Huesca goalkeeper Ãlvaro FernÃ¡ndez.

Huesca pulled one back through a penalty kick earned after a breakaway in first-half stoppage time, converted by forward Rafa Mir.

Then Mingueza scored his first goal for Barcelona with a header off a cross by Messi in the 53rd.

Huesca, which has won only one of its last six matches, stayed four points from safety.

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More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

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Tales Azzoni on Twitter: http://twitter.com/tazzoni

Barcelona's Oscar Mingueza, center, celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and Huesca at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Monday, March 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort) The Associated Press

Barcelona's Lionel Messi, center, kicks the ball as he score the opening goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and Huesca at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Monday, March 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort) The Associated Press

Barcelona's Lionel Messi, right, celebrates after scoring his side's first goal with teammates during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and Huesca at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Monday, March 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort) The Associated Press

Barcelona's Antoine Griezmann, left, scores his side's second goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and Huesca at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Monday, March 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort) The Associated Press

Barcelona's Antoine Griezmann, center left, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and Huesca at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Monday, March 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort) The Associated Press

Barcelona's Lionel Messi, second right, vies for the ball surrounded of Huesca players during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and Huesca at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Monday, March 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort) The Associated Press

Barcelona's Antoine Griezmann celebrates after scoring his side's second goal with teammates during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and Huesca at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Monday, March 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort) The Associated Press

Barcelona's head coach Ronald Koeman gives instruction inside the box team area during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and Huesca at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Monday, March 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort) The Associated Press

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