Messi nets twice as Barca thump Las Palmas in closed-door tie

Lionel Messi bagged a brace in Barcelona’s 3-0 win over Las Palmas, a game played without spectators following the unrest over Catalonia’s independence referendum.

The La Liga leaders took the decision to play behind closed doors 25 minutes before kick-off, with thousands of fans outside.

A 49th-minute strike from Sergio Busquets put the hosts ahead, before Messi scored on 70 minutes and again on 77 minutes secured the win.

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The Argentinian has now scored 45 goals for Barcelona in 2017, at least 14 more than any other La Liga player (in all competitions). His cross for Sergio Busquets’ goal was his 139th La Liga assist, and his 100th at the Nou Camp in all competitions.

After the game, Messi moved up to third on the all-time list of Barcelona appearances (594) – knocking Carles Puyol into fourth, with Xavi (767) and Andres Iniesta (639) being the top two.

Barcelona are now 21 points at the top of the league table, and will play away to Atletico madrid in their next league tie on October 14.

 

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