Football
ESPN staff 7y

Barcelona put five goals past Las Palmas, Atletico Madrid win

Barcelona's Lionel Messi completed a quest to score against every top-flight team in La Liga by finding the net in a 5-0 win over Las Palmas on Saturday.

Luis Suarez added two goals and Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal also scored as Barcelona moved within two points of Real Madrid, who play at Sevilla on Sunday and hold another game in hand.

Suarez opened the scoring on 14 minutes following a low cross from Andre Gomes.

Messi tapped home to make it 2-0 early in the second half after Las Palmas goalkeeper Javi Varas failed to handle a left-flank cross by Rafinha and left the ball in front of the goal.

It was Messi's 13th goal in the last 12 matches, and his first against Las Palmas, the only Primera Division club yet to concede a goal to the playmaker.

Suarez added his second with a well-placed shot into the far corner, and two minutes later set up Turan after his own shot was saved. Vidal completed the rout with 10 minutes to play.

Nicolas Gaitan struck as Atletico Madrid beat Real Betis 1-0 to maintain pressure on the top four.

An early goal from the Argentina international after just eight minutes proved enough at Vicente Calderon. Diego Simeone's side moved two points behind Sevilla as a result.

In the day's first match, Leganes shared a goalless draw with Athletic Bilbao.

Leganes came closest to scoring but forward Darwin Machis squandered a few great opportunities, including one-on-one chances in front of the goal.

Athletic had a goal by Raul Garcia ruled out for a foul in the buildup.

It was Athletic's second straight goalless draw against a newly promoted side following last week's stalemate against Alaves.

Saturday's late match saw Deportivo La Coruna held to a goalless draw by Villarreal at Estadio Riazor.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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