BARCELONA, SPAIN - DECEMBER 18: Lionel Messi (R) of FC Barcelona celebrates with his team mate Luis Suarez after scoring his team's fourth goal during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium on December 18, 2016 in Barcelona, Spain.
Luis Suarez scored twice and Lionel Messi scored once to lift Barcelona to a 4-1 home victory over cross-town rival Espanyol on Sunday.
Suarez, who signed a new contract with Barca on Friday, opened scoring in the 18th minute on a one-time shot into the far corner following an excellent pass from Andrés Iniesta, and then the Uruguayan slotted home again from close range in the 67th.
Messi also weaved past several Espanyol defenders in the box to assist on Barcelona’s third goal, scored by Jordi Alba just one minute after Suarez’s second. The 29-year-old Argentine also beat four Espanyol defenders to set up Suarez’s second goal, which came off a rebound from goalie Diego Lopez, who was replaced by Roberto due to injury. The Camp Nou crowd went wild after witnessing the spectacular plays that led up to those two goals.
After Silva David Lopez netted Espanyol’s lone goal, Messi capped the victory in the 90th minute with his own score that went through the legs of Roberto and that Suarez set up with a lobbed pass.
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Suarez and Messi are now joint top scorers in La Liga this season with 12 goals each.
Barcelona are now three points (34) behind leaders Real Madrid (37), who have played one game less after being named Club World Cup champions earlier on Sunday.
Sevilla is third with 3 points.
Espanyol have not defeated Barcelona since 2009, although they entered the game on a nine-game unbeaten run in the league, having lost only once in their last six.
BARCELONA, SPAIN – DECEMBER 18: Lionel Messi (R) of FC Barcelona celebrates with his team mate Luis Suarez after scoring his team’s fourth goal during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium on December 18, 2016 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
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