Messi scores twice as Barca beat Espanyol 2-0 in Barcelona derby

MADRID, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Leo Messi scored twice as FC Barcelona beat local rivals Espanyol 2-0 on Saturday to maintain their lead at the top of the Liga Santander.

Messi netted a 71st minute free kick to open the scoring in a tense game and then assured the points for Barca when he slotted home after good work from Malcom in the 89th minute.

The match had been billed as a duel between Messi and Espanyol's Chinese forward Wu Lei, but the duel hardly existed as Wu Lei began the game as a substitute and played just over 25 minutes of the game.

The Chinese forward had captured much of the attention in the run up to the game, but coach Rubi opted to leave him on the bench after he had enjoyed a few days break in his homeland.

Barca beat Espanyol 4-0 in their first meeting this season, but the visitors were brave in the opening minutes of the game with Andrea Pedrosa and Oscar Melendo both looking to take the game to the league leaders.

Barca controlled the ball, however, and Messi saw a shot deflected over before Ivan Rakitic fired just wide.

Messi also fired just wide after the ball was deflected to him in the Espanyol penalty area, but overall the visitors held firm in an opening 45 minutes which Barca lacked their usual sharpness.

The home side continued in control at the start of the second half, but with Espanyol defending with up to 8 players in their area, Barca failed to get a shot on target. Shortly before the hour, Barca coach Ernesto Valverde brought Sergi Roberto and Malcom on for Arthur Melo and Nelson Semedo.

Malcom's first contribution was to bring a good save from Diego Lopez, moments before Wu Lei finally got into the action as a 64th minute substitute for Borja Iglesias.

Countinho fired over in the 68th minute, before Victor Sanchez brought Messi down on the edge of the Espanyol area. Messi picked himself up and after the referee took his time to ensure the wall was at the correct distance, he did what he does so often - curled the ball into the back of the net, although Sanchez actually got his head onto the ball before it ended up in the goal.

A great challenge from Clement Lenglet denied Wu Lei the chance to equalize after good work from Sergio Garcia and Wu Lei did produce some good touches during his time on the pitch.

It was Messi who had the final word however, as he assured the win with his second goal of the game and his 31st league goal of the campaign.