The 301st goal for Messi as Barca win in Granada

 　　MADRID, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Leo Messi scored two more goals in his incredible season as FC Barcelona took a hard fought 2-1 win away to Granada to ensure they at least retain their lead at the top of Spain's BBVA Primera Liga over Atletico Madrid and third placed Real Madrid.

　　Messi netted twice in the second half as his team had to battle back from a goal down against their hard-working rivals.

　　Barca lead Atletico by 15 points and Real Madrid by 19, although both sides can make up ground if they win their respective matches on Sunday.

　　With a view on their Champions League tie away to AC Milan next week, Barca rested midfielders Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez, who is putting the finishing touches to his recovery from a hamstring injury. Thiago Alcantara and Alexis Sanchez came into the starting 11, while Javier Mascherano also stepped into the team to allow Carles Puyol to rest.

　　Alexis, who scored his first league goal of the season in last weekend's 6-1 win over Getafe, had the first chance of the game, but his control allowed Granada keeper, Tono to make a brave save.

　　Granada had won their last two games, including a 1-0 home win against Real Madrid and their confidence was clear to see as they defended solidly and looked to play with pace with former Barca-B team striker, Nolito keen to impress against his former club and forcing an early save from Victor Valdes.

　　Thiago and Alexis had further shots on goal, but it was a miss from Alexis, who dwelt on the ball in the Granada penalty area, which led to the first goal of the game as Granada launched a counter attack which saw Nolito nod the ball down for Odion Ighalo to poke¹ the ball home from close range, although he looked to be in an offside position.

　　Barca had the majority of the ball but, thanks to the hard work of the Granada midfield and defense², didn't find their rivals net until the 50th minute when Tono was unable to hold a low drive from Cesc Fabrigas and Messi was on hand to poke home from close range.

　　Messi has now scored in his side's last 14 league matches and it was his 36th league goal of the campaign and his 300th for the club.

　　Meanwhile Tono redeemed³ his error five minutes later when he was again off his line rapidly to stop Alexis, who was replaced by Christian⁴ Tello moments later.

　　Pedro Rodriguez hit the post for Barca after 66 minutes as the league leaders took control of the game and he was perhaps unfortunate to see a goal ruled out for offside, which probably wasn't, a minute later.

　　Messi netted his 37th goal of the season after 72 minutes when he curled a magnificent 25 yard free kick over the defensive⁵ wall and past Tono's outstretched hand.

　　Granada were paying for their Herculean efforts earlier in the game and that allowed Barca to retain possession with a series of long passing moves and Tello should have sealed the win with a thumping⁶ shot just over the Granada bar.

　　That could have been an expensive miss as Ibrahima shot into the side of the Barca goal in injury time, although Tono then produced another save at the other end to deny Messi yet another hat-trick.

　　Earlier in the day Getafe deepened Celta Vigo's problems with a 3-1 win in their Alfonso Perez Coliseum.

　　Adrian Colunga opened the scoring for the home side and although Augusto Fernandez leveled for Celta, further goals from Diego Castro and Fede Fernandez before the break gave Getafe the points, while leaving Celta in the relegation⁷ zone.

　　Malaga prepared for their Champions League match in Porto next week with a 1-0 win at home to Athletic⁸ Club Bilbao.

　　Javier Saviola scored the only game of the game, but Malaga really had an excellent display from goalkeeper, Willy Caballero to thank for keeping their rivals out.

1 poke   

n.刺，戳，袋；vt.拨开，刺，戳；vi.戳，刺，捅，搜索，伸出，行动散慢

参考例句：

• We never thought she would poke her nose into this.想不到她会插上一手。
• Don't poke fun at me.别拿我凑趣儿。

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 redeemed   

adj. 可赎回的，可救赎的 动词redeem的过去式和过去分词形式

参考例句：

• She has redeemed her pawned jewellery. 她赎回了当掉的珠宝。
• He redeemed his watch from the pawnbroker's. 他从当铺赎回手表。

4 Christian   

adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒

参考例句：

• They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
• His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。

5 defensive   

adj.防御的；防卫的；防守的

参考例句：

• Their questions about the money put her on the defensive.他们问到钱的问题，使她警觉起来。
• The Government hastily organized defensive measures against the raids.政府急忙布置了防卫措施抵御空袭。

6 thumping   

adj.重大的，巨大的；重击的；尺码大的；极好的adv.极端地；非常地v.重击(thump的现在分词)；狠打；怦怦地跳；全力支持

参考例句：

• Her heart was thumping with emotion. 她激动得心怦怦直跳。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• He was thumping the keys of the piano. 他用力弹钢琴。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

7 relegation   

n.驱逐，贬黜；降级

参考例句：

• Liaoning team lost this game, is still deeply avoid relegation zone. 辽宁队本场失利后，仍然深陷保级区。 来自互联网
• In society, relegation is based on your income. 社会上的规类是以你的收入为基准。 来自互联网

8 athletic   

adj.擅长运动的，强健的；活跃的，体格健壮的

参考例句：

• This area has been marked off for athletic practice.这块地方被划出来供体育训练之用。
• He is an athletic star.他是一个运动明星。