Barca beat Ajax 3-1

BARCELONA, Oct 22 (AP): Neymar and Lionel Messi each scored for a fifth consecutive game to help Barcelona to a 3-1 victory over Ajax in the Champions League Tuesday as the Spanish giant returned to winning ways in Europe.

Messi started an outstanding performance at Camp Nou by setting up Neymar in the seventh minute before the Argentine scored in the 24th.

Messi's 69th career goal in Europe's top-tier competition moved him to within two goals of Raul Gonzalez's all-time record of 71. He is tied with Cristiano Ronaldo before Real Madrid visits Liverpool Wednesday.

Anwar El Ghazi pulled one back for Ajax in the 88th, while fellow substitute Sandro Ramirez struck in stoppage time for the hosts.