Messi scores 2, Barcelona beat Racing 3-0

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BARCELONA, Spain, Oct 16 (AP): Lionel Messi scored a double to lead Barcelona to a comfortable 3-0 win over Racing Santander on Saturday, while fellow Argentine international Gonzalo Higuain netted a hat trick in Real Madrid's 4-1 win over Real Betis. Madrid had provisionally moved ahead of its fierce rivals, but Messi kept the defending champions top of the standings and a point ahead of Madrid with a goal in each half while Xavi Hernandez added another in Barcelona's third straight win. With 196 goals for Barcelona in all competitions, Messi moved past Laszlo Kubala (194) into sole possession of second place on the club career scoring list, behind only Cesar Rodriguez (235).