Valencia 2-3 Barcelona: Messi double keeps title dream alive at Mestalla
Messi scored twice as Barça came from behind to claim three huge points
Barcelona edged a five-goal thrilled to beat Valencia at Mestalla on Sunday and keep their title hopes alive.
Lionel Messi scored twice and Antoine Griezmann was also on target as Ronald Koeman's side moved back to within two points of leaders Atletico Madrid.
Barca did things the hard way against Valencia, who took the lead through Gabriel Paulista early in the second half.
Two Messi goals sandwiched a Griezmann strike to turn the game on its head but a brilliant goal from Carlos Soler set up a nervy ending.
Barca now have 74 points, the same as Real Madrid but sit third due to their inferior head-to-head record against Los Blancos. Atletico are top with 76 points and Sevilla, who play Athletic Club on Monday, are fourth with 70.
Barca started well at Mestalla as they looked to bounce back from Thursday's unexpected loss to Granada but they couldn't translate their possession into goals.
Pedri missed a good early chance and Ronald Araujo should have done better when he got on the end of a Messi free kick.
Valencia had chances on the break, with Jose Luis Gaya slashing wide and Ancic seeing a shot saved by Marc ter Stegen.
The first half ended goalless but the second half more than made up for that as the game exploded to life in the 50th minute.
Gabriel headed in the opening goal after losing Clement Lenglet at a corner, with Barca's appeals for a foul on Ter Stegen falling on deaf ears.
Rather than dwell on that, the Blaugrana put things right up the other end. Messi's pass for Frenkie de Jong was handled by Toni Lato for a penalty which Messi missed. But Sergio Busquets kept the ball alive, Pedri's shot was blocked on the line and Messi levelled from close range.
Griezmann fired Barca into the lead six minutes later, rolling home after Jasper Cillessen had saved De Jong's header.
Messi then added the third from a free kick he had won with 20 minutes left.
That should have been that but Soler's late screamer gave Valencia a route back into the game and forced Barca to work hard to hold on to what were three precious points.
With four games to go, the title race remains red hot.
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