Osasuna 0-3 Barcelona: Messi scores twice as run of draws comes to an end

Barcelona ended a run of three consecutive league draws with a commanding performance against Osasuna, with two goals from Lionel Messi and one from Luis Suarez sealing a 3-0 win. 

Luis Enrique’s side hadn’t won in the league since early November at Sevilla and going into Saturday’s game at Pamplona had slipped six points behind leaders Real Madrid. 

However, following the comfortable midweek win over Borussia Monchengladbach, Barca were able to produce another dominant performance to temporarily reduce the gap at the top to three points. 

Messi’s two goals took him to 11 in the league this season, more than any other player, while Suarez is now equal with Cristiano Ronaldo on 10. 

Andre Gomes and Samuel Umtiti were chosen ahead of Ivan Rakitic and Javier Mascherano, while Arda Turan continued in place of the suspended Neymar as the Blaugrana dominated the first half without scoring. 

Suarez fired wide after a good pass from Messi and the Uruguayan then hit the post. Messi was off target, too, shooting straight at Nauzet Perez when one-on-one. 

More chances came and went for the Argentine, with Arda fluffing a chance as well and Andres Iniesta sending a dipping volley wide. 

Oriol Riera almost made Barca pay at the other end just before the break, but he couldn’t quite get on the end of Miguel de las Cuevas’ low cross when he was unmarked at the far post. 

Fears of this being one of those games, though, ended when Suarez opened the scoring on the hour mark. Sergio Busquets and Messi were involved in the build up, with Alba supplying the pass for Suarez to tap in. 

Before then Osasuna could have taken the lead. Sergio Leon’s first touch was sublime and he galloped into the Barca half, chipping an effort on to the bar from 25 yards. 

Messi put the seal on the result in the 73rd minute. Alba was again the supplier, latching onto a Denis Suarez pass to square for a second time in 13 minutes. 

And the third goal arrived in stoppage time. Messi shook off at least four Osasuna players to slot home from inside the area. Three goals for Barca and the gap, for now, down to three points at the top of the table.