Messi double as Barca keep up pace with Madrid

 　　MADRID, April 14 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona ended four points behind league leaders Real Madrid after a hard fought 2-1 win away to fifth placed Levante on Saturday.

　　Barca needed a fine second half performance from substitute Isaac Cuenca to help them to win, while Leo Messi scored his side's two goals in a very difficult game.

　　Barca coach Pep Guardiola rested Andres Iniesta ahead of next week's Champions League semifinal away Chelsea, but saw how his side struggled to find their game against a side that has already beaten Real Madrid this season.

　　Playing on a bumpy¹ pitch with long grass, which did little to help Barca's passing game, Levante were well organized in defense² and looked to use their pace on the break.

　　Pedro Rodriguez and Thiago Alcantara had good chances for Barca before Levante took the lead from the penalty³ spot. Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes failed to hold a cross and when the ball was fired back into the penalty area, Sergio Busquets instinctively⁴ raised his arms to protect himself and committed a clear handball.

　　Jose Barkero made no mistake and his side allowed Barca few chances before the break.

　　Winger Isaac Cuenca replaced Xavi Hernandez at halftime as Barca looked to use the full width of the pitch, but Levante had the first chance of the second half as Barkero failed to take advantage of a great chance to break.

　　Cuenca played his part in Barca's equalizer, ceding⁵ the ball to Alexis Sanchez, who in turn passed to Messi. Messi then scored with a fine curling shot after 66 minutes.

　　Messi then put Barca ahead after Cuenca won a penalty after being pushed over in the Levante penalty area. Messi fired home his 41st goal of the season to give Levante keeper Mnua no chance.

　　Former Barca midfielder Xavi Torres almost equalized with virtually the last kick of the game, but Valdes got down to make the save.

1 bumpy   

adj.颠簸不平的，崎岖的

参考例句：

• I think we've a bumpy road ahead of us.我觉得我们将要面临一段困难时期。
• The wide paved road degenerated into a narrow bumpy track.铺好的宽阔道路渐渐变窄，成了一条崎岖不平的小径。

2 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

3 penalty   

n.处罚，刑罚，罚款

参考例句：

• If you knock the ball with your hand in football,you will suffer a penalty.如果在踢足球时你用手碰到球，你将受到处罚。
• One of those arrested could face the death penalty.被捕的那些人中有一人可能被判死刑。

4 instinctively   

adv.本能地

参考例句：

• As he leaned towards her she instinctively recoiled. 他向她靠近，她本能地往后缩。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He knew instinctively where he would find her. 他本能地知道在哪儿能找到她。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 ceding   

v.让给，割让，放弃( cede的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• He was ceding line but more slowly all the time. 他正在放出钓索，然而越来越慢了。 来自英汉文学 - 老人与海
• Settlement would require ceding some Egyptian territory. 解决办法将要求埃及让出一些领土。 来自辞典例句