Messi shines as Barça survive scare to see off Rayo

BARCELONA (Reuters): Lionel Messi created a goal and scored another as Barcelona came from behind to beat struggling Rayo Vallecano 3-1 at home on Saturday and stay seven points clear at the top of La Liga. 

Rayo, who have now lost their last 12 games against Barça, took a shock lead midway through the first half when forward Raul de Thomas — who is on loan from Real Madrid — ran past two defenders before arrowing a shot into the bottom corner.

The Madrid side’s unlikely lead at Camp Nou lasted a quarter of an hour and ended when Messi whipped in a free kick for Gerard Pique to appear unmarked and head home.

Barça won a penalty early in the second half when Luis Suarez was fouled and Messi converted to put the league leaders in front and the Uruguayan forward made sure of the points with a simple finish from close range in the 82nd minute.

Record signing Philippe Coutinho started instead of Dembele but yet again failed to dovetail with Suarez and Messi in attack and missed the target with both chances which fell his way.

The win, which followed successive victories over Real Madrid in the league and Copa del Rey, restored Barça’s seven-point gap over nearest challengers Atletico Madrid, who earned a 1-0 victory at home to Leganes.