Barcelona captain Lionel Messi and Francisco Trincao were both on the scoresheet twice as Barcelona beat Alaves for their seventh consecutive La Liga win.
Trincao opened the scoring from a pass by Ilaix Moriba – both players were making their first La Liga starts – and Messi doubled the lead via the inside of the post from outside the box.
Luis Rioja shortly afterwards pulled one back to give the struggling Alaves some hope.
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Trincao scored again after Messi’s shot was saved and then the Argentine netted an excellent 25-yard strike before Junior Firpo’s close-range fifth.
Messi and Trincao’s doubles both came on landmarks days.
Messi, 33, was making his 505th La Liga appearance, equaling Xavi’s club record.
Barcelona have now moved up to second with the victory, although still eight points behind leaders Atletico Madrid
AFRICA DAILY NEWS, NEW YORK
