Barcelona kept within touching distance of LaLiga leaders Atletico Madrid as Lionel Messi inspired Ronald Koeman\u2019s team to a 5-2 victory over Getafe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As Atleti were beating Huesca to move three points clear at the top of LaLiga, Barca released a statement prior to their own contest at Camp Nou, reiterating a commitment to the seemingly failed European Super League project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While that topic seems set to rumble on, Messi served up a reminder of just what the game is at its very best with another sublime showing, scoring twice in an action-packed first half which also saw\u00a0Sofian Chakla and Clement Lenglet turn into their own nets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Enes Unal\u2019s penalty after a VAR review gave Getafe hope, but Ronald Araujo headed in from Messi\u2019s superb corner before Antoine Griezmann converted from the spot in stoppage time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A magnificent Messi strike seemed set to put Barca ahead within three minutes, yet Getafe survived \u2013 the ball bouncing down and away\u00a0off the underside of the crossbar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Messi would not be denied again five minutes later, as he beat Getafe\u2019s offside trap and finished over David Soria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But with Oscar Mingueza off the field receiving treatment for a knee injury, Barca were swiftly pegged back when Angel Rodriguez\u2019s wayward shot diverted in off Lenglet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was a huge stroke of misfortune that saw Getafe concede for a second time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Soria rushed out to get onto a loose ball, only for Chakla to instead play a blind pass beyond his goalkeeper, whose despairing dive into the net only added to the comedy of errors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was 3-1 five minutes later \u2013 Messi\u2019s right-footed volley coming back off the post, but Barca\u2019s talisman was on hand to tuck in the rebound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Getafe received a lifeline when Araujo was adjudged after a VAR check to have fouled Unal, who converted the resulting penalty to reduce the deficit with 21 minutes remaining.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yet Araujo made amends in the 87th minute, powerfully heading home from Messi\u2019s corner to secure the points, with Griezmann\u2019s last-minute penalty adding further gloss to a win which\u00a0moves Barca third,\u00a0five points behind Atleti with a game in hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What does it mean? Camp Nou comforts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Atleti\u2019s 2-0 win over Huesca put the pressure on Barca, but Koeman\u2019s men answered \u2013 albeit the scoreline perhaps flattered them following a shaky second-half display. They are now two points behind Real Madrid and five off the pace, but the game in hand on both of their title rivals could put them right in the mix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Barca have also gone 13 league games without defeat at Camp Nou, since a 3-1 loss to Real Madrid last October.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Messi ends Getafe drought in style<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Messi had failed to score in his last three league appearances against Getafe at Camp Nou \u2013 his longest run without a goal at home against them in the competition, after scoring in his previous five at home against the team from Madrid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That barren streak was ended in emphatic fashion on Thursday. Messi was integral to all of Barca\u2019s play, and he has now scored 25 LaLiga goals this term \u2013 two more than all of Getafe\u2019s players combined (23).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chakla has a shocker<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It was a dismal night for Getafe defender Chakla. His own goal was a classic blooper, and it was the centre-back who committed the desperate foul on Griezmann to hand Barca\u2019s forward the chance to make it 5-2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Getafe have now failed to win in their last seven away LaLiga games (D1 L6), though they did at least find the net this time \u2013 they have failed to score in nine away LaLiga matches this season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n