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European roundup: Messi, Ronaldo score twice; Bale hat-trick fires Spurs to sink Sheffield United
CGTN
Barcelona's Antoine Griezmann (L) and Lionel Messi celebrate after the team's second goal against Valencia during their La Liga match in Valencia, Spain, May 2, 2021. /CFP

Barcelona's Antoine Griezmann (L) and Lionel Messi celebrate after the team's second goal against Valencia during their La Liga match in Valencia, Spain, May 2, 2021. /CFP

Lionel Messi missed a penalty but still scored twice, including an exquisite free-kick, as Barcelona edged a five-goal thriller with Valencia on Sunday to stay within touching distance of the top of La Liga.

After Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid both won on Saturday, there was no margin for error at Mestalla, where Barca's 3-2 win reduced the gap behind Atletico back to two points, now with four games left to play.

Cristiano Ronaldo (C) celebrates after scoring a goal during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and Juventus in Udine, Italy, May 2, 2021. /CFP

Cristiano Ronaldo (C) celebrates after scoring a goal during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and Juventus in Udine, Italy, May 2, 2021. /CFP

In Serie A, Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice late to rescue a 2-1 win for Juventus at Udinese on Sunday hours after the Turin giants lost their Serie A crown to Inter Milan.

Inter broke Juve's nine-year streak of domestic dominance by clinching their 19th "Scudetto" after nearest rivals Atalanta drew 1-1 at Sassuolo with 13 points clear with four games remaining.

Juve's win moves them up to third as they target a Champions League spot, but are equal on 69 points with second-placed Atalanta and AC Milan in fourth.

"The nine years are over, we will no longer have the Scudetto attached to the shirt, but we will start again with the same desire as before," said Juve coach Andrea Pirlo.

Gareth Bale gestures after his hat-trick during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Sheffield United in London, England, May 2, 2021. /CFP

Gareth Bale gestures after his hat-trick during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Sheffield United in London, England, May 2, 2021. /CFP

In Premier League, Gareth Bale's stunning hat-trick earned Tottenham Hotspur a 4-0 win over relegated Sheffield United to keep them in the hunt for a top-four finish in the League on Sunday.

The Welshman, who has returned to Tottenham on loan from Real Madrid having left in 2013, opened the scoring in the 36th minute with a clever flick.

He doubled the lead just past the hour mark with a stylish finish into the top corner – his 50th Premier League goal.

Bale then made it 3-0 shortly afterward when he drilled another left-footed effort low into the corner to complete his first Premier League hat-trick since 2012.

Son Heung-min, who earlier had a goal disallowed, produced a trademark effort to complete the rout.

(With input from agencies)

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