Osasuna vs Barcelona. Spanish La Liga.
El SadarAttendance17,349.
Saturday 10 December 2016 21:57, UK
Barcelona beat relegation strugglers Osasuna 3-0 thanks to two goals by Lionel Messi.
Luis Suarez broke the deadlock at El Sadar on 59 minutes, tapping home from close range following fine play involving Messi and Jordi Alba.
The Barca full-back turned provider again for Barca's second, teeing up Messi to finish past Osasuna goalkeeper Nauzet Perez on 72 minutes.
And the Argentine forward grabbed his 11th league goal of the campaign with an individual effort in stoppage time.
The hosts, who remain bottom of the table, caused their famous opponents a few problems before eventually falling behind, with Sergio Leon coming closest when his stunning chip from distance struck the crossbar.
Barca moved to within three points of league leaders Real Madrid, who then got their six-point lead back with a dramatic 3-2 win over Deportivo.
Luis Enrique made six changes from the team that beat Borussia Monchengladbach in midweek Champions League action, restoring Suarez to the team with Neymar suspended.
The former Liverpool forward should have opened the scoring after eight minutes but fired wide following a brilliantly disguised through ball by Messi.
Osasuna 'keeper Perez kept his side in the game with two excellent saves from Messi, while Suarez rattled the woodwork as the visitors continued to pile on the pressure.
The hosts could have snatched the lead on the counter before half-time but Oriol Riera failed to convert Miguel De las Cuevas' low cross.
They went close again just after the break as Leon's improvised dink from outside the box struck Marc-Andre ter Stegen's crossbar and bounced clear.
But, having enjoyed their best spell of the game, Osasuna were caught out by a classic Barcelona move, Suarez tapping home Alba's low centre after Messi's pass released the full-back.
Alba and Messi then combined again as the latter turned past Perez from six yards out, and the Argentina international found the net for a second time in the closing stages to seal the win.
