Messi double saves Barça in Granada

MADRID - Reuters

Lionel Messi is in action during a league game against Granada. AP photo

Lionel Messi led Barcelona to a 2-1 comeback victory with a double strike at lowly Granada in La Liga on Feb. 16, taking his tally for the club to 301 goals.

The World Player of the Year pounced on a loose ball to level in the 50th minute before netting a superb free kick for the winner in the 73rd, the 37th goal of the campaign for La Liga’s top scorer.

Only a last-minute save from keeper Tono in a one-on-one situation denied Messi a hat-trick.

The victory moved Barca 15 points clear at the top of the table with second-placed Atletico Madrid playing at Real Valladolid on Sunday.

Barca, who visit AC Milan in the last 16 of the Champions League on Wednesday, are 19 points in front of third-placed Real Madrid with the champions hosting city rivals Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.

“Over 300 goals. It’s extraordinary what Messi does,” Barca assistant coach Jordi Roura told a news conference.

“We had a lot of chances and didn’t take them but he got two goals that are very important.”