Messi powers Barcelona blitz

Barcelona ensured it will be at least a point clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga when it hosts its archrival in next weekend's Clasico after Lionel Messi struck twice in a 2-0 win at Basque minnow Eibar on Saturday.

Barca leapfrogged stuttering Real, which hosts Levante on Sunday, into first place last weekend and produced another dominant performance inspired by the talismanic Messi to move to 65 points with 11 games left.

With Xavi and Andres Iniesta on the bench, Messi captained the side and put the Catalan giant ahead in the 31st minute at Eibar's Ipurua stadium when he converted a penalty after Borja Ekiza handled the Argentine forward's shot.