Messi nears greatness as Barca down Eibar

Posted Sunday, October 19, 2014 by Marca.com

Lionel Messi racked up his 250th
Primera Division goal as he celebrated the 10-year anniversary of his Barcelona debut with a 3-0 win over Eibar.

Messi rounded off the scoring at the Nou Camp to keep the Catalans top of the table ahead of next week's El Clasico.
The Argentinian set up the opener for Xavi just before the hour-mark before Neymar volleyed in a second.

Messi's strike took him to within one of former Athletic Bilbao striker Telmo Zarra's record of 251 Primera Division goals and opened up the opportunity for him to become the league's all-time leading marksman next weekend at the home of arch-rivals Real Madrid.

Madrid were even more impressive as they thrashed Levante 5-0 away from home to move up to second, still four points behind Barca.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice, sparking the rout with the first from the penalty spot and getting the third with a fine solo effort to make it 15 league goals in seven games this season.

Javier Hernandez scored number two, with James Rodriguez and Isco also on the scoresheet.

Celta Vigo striker Nolito's second-half equaliser earned his side a 1-1 draw at Athletic Bilbao.

The struggling hosts made a dream start when Aritz Aduriz put them in front with a penalty after only six minutes, but Nolito struck with 17 minutes left.

Malaga won 2-1 at winless Cordoba in the late kick-off.

First-half goals from Samu and Nordin Amrabat with a penalty put the visitors in control and they were home and dry by the time Nabil Ghilas grabbed a consolation for Cordoba four minutes into time added on.