Lionel Messi and Ansu Fati led the way for Barcelona as Quique Setien's men did just enough to claim a 2-1 win over Levante at Camp Nou on Sunday, moving them back to within three points of leaders Real Madrid.
After a remarkable breakthrough at the start of the season, Fati had recently come in for criticism amid some underwhelming displays, but he showed just how effective he can be as Messi carved open the Levante defence.
Fati took his top-flight tally to four with a pair of strikes separated by just 102 seconds in the first half, profiting from the brilliance of Messi on both occasions to become the youngest player to score a LaLiga brace this century.
Levante offered a lot more from an attacking perspective after the break and deservedly pulled one back through Barca academy product Ruben Rochina in stoppage time, but Fati's efforts had put the game beyond the visitors, despite a hat-trick ultimately eluding the 17-year-old.
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Match Events
13' CLOSE! Messi's shot inches wide
Wide! Fati surges down the left flank before he cuts inside on his right foot. He offloads in space to Messi, who takes a touch on his left foot before poking an effort towards goal. However, he guides his strike wide of the right post.
18' CHANCE! Griezmann's shot wide out
Chance! Alba releases Griezmann over the top of the Levante defence in space down the right inside channel. He tries to poke his effort past Fernandez, only to guide his effort wide of the post.
30' GOAL! Barcelona 1-0 Levante (Fati)
GOAL! Fati puts Barcelona ahead! 1-0! The home side's pressure pays off as Fati gathers Messi's pass and slots his strike through the legs of Fernandez. Messi collects the ball in the middle of the park and plays a pass behind Miramon for the run of the winger down the left flank. Fati takes the ball in stride and brushes off the challenge of Miramon before finding the back of the net.
31' GOAL! Barcelona 2-0 Levante (Fati)
GOAL! Fati scores again! 2-0! Barcelona double their lead as the winger blasts an effort at goal from a tight angle and it travels through the legs of Fernandez to find the net. Messi is the architect with a probing run into the box. He cannot find space to shoot so he offloads to Fati. The youngster fires at goal on his left foot, and although Fernandez should make a comfortable save, he allows it to travel through his legs. A quick-fire double for the home side.
36' CLOSE! Semedo hits the beam
Off the bar! Semedo is denied a special goal by the woodwork. Messi releases the Portuguese down the right inside channel and he skips past Tono's challenge with ease. He cuts back inside to get the better of Postigo, dropping his shoulder before firing a powerful left-footed strike towards goal. Fernandez can only watch as the ball soars towards the net, but it strikes the bar and bounces over.
45' CLOSE! Griezmann misses a great chance!
What a miss! Griezmann has to score. Semedo does brilliantly down the right flank as he beats the challenge of Tono before surging into the box. He cuts the ball back towards Griezmann in the middle, but the Frenchman can only stab his effort wide of the right post.
50' Messi's shot blocked
Block and wide! Alba raids down the left flank and cuts the ball back for Griezmann. He sees his shot charged down, but the ball loops towards Fati at the back post. He offloads back to Messi, but his effort is cleared off the line by Postigo. Busquets gathers on the edge of the box and goes for a first-time strike, only to bend his attempt wide of the post.
67' What a save from Ter Stegen!
Save! Rochina releases Marti into the box in the right inside channel with a ball over the top. He cuts the ball back for Hernani to strike, but the midfielder is denied by a fine one-handed save from Ter Stegen, turning his effort over the bar.
74' Messi's shot stopped by Fernandez
Save! Sergi Roberto knocks the ball to Messi in the right inside channel. He skips past two challenges with ease before shaping to shoot, but Fernandez does well to block his low strike from a tight angle.
90' GOAL! Barcelona 2-1 Levante (Rochina)
GOAL! Levante get their goal! 2-1! The visitors have been threatening throughout the half and they finally get one on the board. Rochina lines up a strike from the edge of the box and he connects sweetly with a left-footed strike on the half-volley. It travels through a crowd of players and deflects off Vezo. It's enough to distract Ter Stegen, who allows the strike to spill through his hands and into the net.
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