Monstrous' Messi scores 400th La Liga goal, sends Barca five points clear

Lionel Messi scored his 400th La Liga goal, a total his coach Ernesto Valverde called "monstrous", as Barcelona terrorised Eibar to reclaim their five-point cushion at the top of the table.

Messi drove the ball into the bottom corner after being teed up by Luis Suarez, who added two goals to his own tally either side of the Argentinian marking another historic record at the Camp Nou on Sunday.

"It's monstrous," said Valverde, after the 3-0 victory. "It's easy to say but you have to score them one after the other, it's a long-term job.

"His numbers are stratospheric, incredible. He is from another galaxy." Victory saw Valverde's side restore their advantage over Atletico Madrid, who had briefly cut the gap to two points after beating Levante earlier in the day.

"There is a lot of time left," Valverde said.

"It is a good cushion but nothing is done yet."
- Sparkling Coutinho display -
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- Griezmann fires Atletico to win -
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