Bidding for an eighth win in a row, captain Messi stepped up to give the Catalans the lead from the penalty spot in the 38th minute, after Nelson Semedo was fouled by Jorge Miramon.

Messi sent the spot-kick high to the right of the net, with stats-lovers noting that the strike was the Argentine’s 500th for Barcelona with his fabled left foot.

Messi has scored the vast majority of his goals – 82.1 percent – of his 609 goals for Barcelona with his left peg, and proved yet again how much he has revived the team since returning from the calf injury that ruled him out at the start of the season.

Ernesto Valverde’s men were looking to move four points clear of nearest rivals Atletico Madrid at the top of the La Liga table.