MADRID: Lionel Messi broke Pele’s all-time scoring milestone for their clubs by netting his 644th career goal for Barcelona on Tuesday, while Atletico Madrid beat Real Sociedad 2-0 to increase their La Liga lead.

Messi, who helped Barca win 3-0 at Valladolid, had equalled Pele’s all-time scoring tally on Saturday. His 643rd career goal for Barca since his 2004 debut matched Pele’s tally for Santos from 1957-74.

For his 644th — Barca’s third of the night — Messi had help from 18-year-old Pedri Gonzalez.

After receiving the ball near the edge of the area, Pedri deftly rolled his boot over the ball to push it behind him to meet the Argentine’s run. The slick pass left Messi clear to finally beat goalie Jordi Masip, who had denied with twice.

“When I began playing, I never thought I would break any record, much less the one I have surpassed today that belonged to Pele,” Messi wrote on Instagram. “I only want to give my thanks to all those who have helped me all these years, my team-mates, my family, my friends and those who support me every day.”

Barca started on the front foot at the Jose Zorrilla Stadium, with Messi flashing a curling shot wide in the seventh minute and forcing a superb save from Masip in the 20th minute.

Barca took the lead seconds later when Messi clipped over a beautiful cross which France defender Clement Lenglet headed home.

Martin Braithwaite gave the away side a deserved second 14 minutes later, Messi slipping through Sergio Dest who rolled over a perfect low cross for the Danish international to tap home.

Barca stayed in fifth place at eight points behind Atletico, and two points behind Sociedad and fourth-placed Villarreal, who drew 1-1 at home with Athletic Bilbao.

In a meeting between the front-runners and the sensation of the league this season, Atletico put on another dominant performance to show why they are the early title favourites.

Diego Simeone’s team took full advantage of their best scoring opportunities and their defence remained airtight from start to finish.

Mario Hermoso headed in a free kick by Yannick Carrasco to put the visitors at San Sebastin ahead four minutes after halftime. Marcos Llorente put the result beyond doubt in the 74th with a powerful strike from the edge of the area.

Atletico moved three points clear of second-placed Real Madrid. They have one more game to play than both Real and Barca and three more games to play than Sociedad.

Sevilla are sixth, nine points behind Atletico after Suso fired them to a 1-0 win at struggling Valencia. Valencia are 13th and just a point above the relegation zone after their sixth consecutive league match without a win.

Osasuna stayed in last place after twice giving up leads in a 2-2 draw at Elche. Huesca likewise stayed in the relegation zone after a 1-1 draw with Levante.

Published in Dawn, December 24th, 2020