Barcelona beats Madrid 2-0 to lead Spanish league
Monday, 12 April 2010
MADRID, Apr 11 (AP): Lionel Messi scored and defending champion Barcelona beat Real Madrid 2-0 to take a three-point lead in the Spanish league race with its fourth straight victory in the rivalry.
Messi, coming off a four-goal performance in the Champions League, put Barcelona ahead after 33 minutes by sending a shot past goalkeeper Iker Casillas for his 40th goal of the season.
Xavi Hernandez, who set up Messi for the opener, turned playmaker again in the 56th as he sent Pedro Rodriguez free on Casillas to curl a left-footed shot past the goalkeeper.
Messi, coming off a four-goal performance in the Champions League, put Barcelona ahead after 33 minutes by sending a shot past goalkeeper Iker Casillas for his 40th goal of the season.
Xavi Hernandez, who set up Messi for the opener, turned playmaker again in the 56th as he sent Pedro Rodriguez free on Casillas to curl a left-footed shot past the goalkeeper.