Messi penalty settles derby

Lionel Messi scored his third penalty in six days to give Barcelona a 1-0 win at local rivals Espanyol and boost their chances of retaining the Primera Division title.

With 14 minutes remaining of a difficult afternoon for Gerardo Martino's side, the prolific Argentina forward calmly sent his spot-kick the other side of Espanyol goalkeeper Kiko Casilla, who was then sent off for handling another shot from Messi outside his area.

Defender Javi Lopez, who had given away the penalty, went in goal for the remaining eight minutes, but Barca were unable to take further advantage.

The result moved Barca two points clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid and five ahead of third-spotted Real Madrid, both of whom were in action later on Saturday evening.

The first half was played at a blistering pace and saw plenty of decent chances for both sides.

The first fell to Neymar, who headed into the arms of Casilla with four minutes gone, but just 60 seconds later Espanyol fired their first warning with Sergio Garcia shooting just wide of Jose Manuel Pinto's near post from 20 yards.

Messi then headed just over the bar from inside the area, while at the other end Pizzi attempted to lift the ball over a defender's head and then go for goal, but could only get the first part right, ballooning over the bar when it came to shoot.

The Portuguese later blazed over from inside the area after getting on the end of a low pass by Garcia as Espanyol launched a lightning-quick break, a moment after Neymar had slid in to meet a Dani Alves cross, but could not keep his effort under the bar either.

Espanyol then appealed for penalty when Javier Mascherano put his hand across Lopez's face, but it went unnoticed by the referee.

Barca then thought they should have been awarded a spot-kick when Pedro was felled in the area 11 minutes into the second half. Pedro later headed into the arms of Casilla from a corner - one of few chances from either side in a second period that was far more tranquil than the first.

Espanyol showed far less energy than at the start of the game, and the withdrawal of the lively albeit ineffectual Pizzi for Alex Fernandez seemed to be a signal they would be content with a draw.

A point would not do for title-chasing Barca, and they attacked with more urgency.

Cesc Fabregas and Messi combined well but were blocked by the Espanyol defence, then Gerard Pique's header from a corner hit the bar.

Then the perfect opportunity to take the lead arrived, however - a penalty awarded for a handball against Lopez. Espanyol fiercely contested the decision, but Messi sent Casilla the wrong way to break the deadlock.

The goalkeeper managed to deny Messi soon after, but did so illegally and was sent off for handling the ball outside of his area.

Lopez did well in the unfamiliar role of goalkeeper, denying Alexis Sanchez late on as the Chilean attempted to double his side's tally with an attempted lob, but Espanyol stood little of chance of getting back into the game once they found themselves a goal and a man down.

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Neymar, Messi lead Barcelona past Celta, but GK Victor Valdes hurt.

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) - Lionel Messi and Neymar helped Barcelona provisionally take the lead of the Spanish league on Wednesday, but the 3-0 win over Celta Vigo came at the cost of goalkeeper Victor Valdes being taken off with a leg injury.

Valdes' right knee buckled after a routine save in the 22nd minute, and he had to be shuttled off the Camp Nou pitch with his gloved hands covering his face. The club says Valdes was taken to hospital for tests to determine the severity of the injury.

Neymar scored twice from passes by Alexis Sanchez. The Brazil striker opened the scoring in the sixth minute and struck again in the 67th after Messi recorded his 22nd league goal of the season on the half-hour mark.

The win came four days after Barcelona's thrilling 4-3 win at Madrid and lifted it two points ahead of its fierce rivals and Atletico Madrid, who both play later.

Celta, coached by former Barcelona player and B-team manager Luis Enrique, never mounted a challenge and its high defensive line proved easy pickings for the Catalan side's passing game.

Messi got things rolling when he dribbled at Celta's defense and spotted Alexis's run down the right edge of the area, where he received Messi's pass and squared for Neymar to tap home.

After Jose Pinto went on to replace the injured Valdes, Messi took Andres Iniesta's pass, rounded goalie Yoel Rodriguez and fired the ball inside the upright.

The 38-year-old Pinto was tested in the 52nd and was up to the challenge when he made back-to-back reflex saves to turn away Augusto Fernandez's powerful strike and Santi Mina's follow-up attempt. He went on to make two more noteworthy saves.

Neymar hit a second time from a long pass by Alexis when he managed to slot the ball through two defenders and beyond Rodriguez.

Also, Rayo Vallecano beat Osasuna 1-0 thanks to Joaquin Lavirrey's 90th-minute penalty for its fourth win in five rounds to edge away from the relegation zone.

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Barcelona sign 17-year-old Croatia midfielder Alen Halilovic.

Barcelona have signed the Croatia midfielder Alen Halilovic from Dinamo Zagreb.

Barcelona said the 17-year-old Halilovic has agreed a five-year contract. The Spanish champions are to pay Dinamo €2.2m (£1.8m) as an initial payment, "which will increase as the player meets certain goals".

Halilovic said: "Barcelona is something special, a club I have loved since I was a child and I am honoured by the opportunity." He became Croatia's youngest player in June 2013 and is the youngest goalscorer in the Croatian first division.

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Halilovic delighted to seal Barcelona move after Catalans announce deal that could rise to £10m for 'the next Luka Modric'

Alen Halilovic says he is delighted to sign for Barcelona after the Spanish giants announced his capture on Thursday morning.

The Dynamo Zagreb starlet has signed for an initial £1.8million on a five-year deal but it is thought the price could rise to as much as £10m depending on how he performs.

Billed as ‘the next Luka Modric’, Halilovic can play across the midfield but usually starts on the right or up front and has a more aggressive, direct style. Halilovic will begin his career in the Barcelona B side but has assurances that his progress will be swift.

The 17-year-old, said: ‘I’m delighted and it is difficult to find words to describe what I feel. 

‘Many thanks to Dinamo, who will always remain my first love and as the club where my dreams began to be realised. I would like to thank all the coaches and the fans of Dinamo. ‘Of course, Barcelona is something special, I have loved the club since I was a kid and I am honored to have the opportunity to play for Barca.

‘Firstly, I want to win the double with Dinamo and then focus on my new club.’

At the end of February Barcelona’s sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta and football management director Raul Sanllehi flew to Croatia to watch the youngster in action and seal the deal.

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