Messi eases Barcelona’s troubles with star turn

In Italy, Francesco Totti took a selfie on the pitch at the Stadio Olimpico after scoring two goals

(AP)

Lionel Messi was the centre of attention as Barcelona got back to winning ways in La Liga by beating Atletico Madrid 3-1 last night, scoring once, creating the other Barça goals but also giving away the penalty that allowed the reigning champions back into the game.

Messi is believed to be at loggerheads with coach Luis Enrique but, in the 12th minute, he improved the mood in the Nou Camp by unlocking the Atletico defence with a run down the right for Neymar to prod home his cross.

Soon afterwards Neymar missed a great chance to double the lead but Luis Suarez made no mistake in the 35th minute, providing a right-foot finish to Messi’s run and astute pass into the penalty area, though Atletico claimed the Argentine had controlled the ball with his hand.

Messi was then harshly judged to have tripped Jesus Gamez in the area – the first penalty he has conceded – for Mario Mandzukic to pull one back in the 57th minute. However, the Barcelona striker had the last word, scoring from close range with three minutes to go.

In Italy, Francesco Totti took a selfie on the pitch at the Stadio Olimpico after scoring the two goals that hauled Roma back from 2-0 down to get a draw in the Rome derby with Lazio.

Felipe Anderson and Stefano Mauri had put Lazio in charge at half-time but Totti turned in a Kevin Strootman cross in the 48th minute, then equalised with a bicycle kick in the 64th minute. That prompted the 38-year-old to run towards the Roma fans in the Curva Sud, get a phone from a member of the Roma staff and take a picture of himself celebrating.