Barcelona were back to winning ways as they beat Elche 3-0 at the Camp Nou on Wednesday with Messi’s second half brace and a goal from Alba.
Messi opened the scoring after he ran past the Elche defenders and played a brilliant one-two with Braithwaite before slotting home in the 48th minute.
La Liga: Barcelona draw at home against Cádiz 1-1; stay 3rd on points table
The No 10 scored again in the 69th minute after De Jong made a lovely run and squared the ball to Messi, who shimmied into the six yard box before dinking it over Badia for 2-0.
Alba made it 3-0 in the 73rd minute after a wonderful team move where Messi’s pinpoint cross was calmly headed across by Braithwaite to Alba, who scored to cap off the night.
Griezmann had a chance for number four but hit the side netting after going around the keeper.
The first half was a cagey affair with four shots between the two sides. Trincao had two chances to give the home side a lead and would be disappointed with himself for not doing so.
Elche had their chance to take the lead but Boye blazed over. In the second half, the visitors did not threaten ter Stegan’s goal enough to get a goal back.
Lionel Messi’s brace means he is now the league’s top scorer this season with 18 goals.
This result means Barcelona have jumped to 3rd while Elche drop to 19th in the league table.
