Lionel Messi nets 600th career goal as Barcelona beat La Liga title rivals Atletico Madrid

The Argentinian struck with a trademark free-kick as Barca edged past their nearest rivals to take a huge stride towards regaining the title.

Ernesto Valverde's side are now eight points clear of Atleti and 15 ahead of Real Madrid in third.

See also: La Liga table

His side's victory, and a 34th league game unbeaten, means it is now Barca's title to lose with 11 games remaining.

He now has 539 for Barcelona and 61 for Argentina - in just 747 appearances - and took his tally for this season to 32 in all competitions.

Elsewhere in LaLiga on Sunday, Levante were denied victory after Leo Baptistao's injury-time equaliser secured Espanyol a 1-1 draw.

Meanwhile, two goals in the first 11 minutes helped Real Sociedad to a 2-1 home victory over Alaves.

See also: Cristiano Ronaldo becomes the second player to reach 300 La Liga goals - and he did it quicker than Lionel Messi

Last updated 1920 GMT 04/03/2018

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