Lionel Messi's 30-goal maintains Barcelona's 7-point lead in La Liga

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Lionel Messi scored one penalty and missed another as Barcelona beat Real Valladolid 1-0 on Saturday to open up a seven-point lead at the top of La Liga.

The Catalans played far below their vibrant best but were not troubled by the visitors at the Nou Camp as they ended a run of three consecutive draws in all competitions.

Ousmane Dembele was handed his first start after injury, and loan signing Kevin-Prince Boateng featured for only the second time since joining in January as coach Ernesto Valverde started with Luis Suarez on the bench ahead of Tuesday's Champions League clash at Olympique Lyonnais.

Barcelona struggled to create chances against a tight Valladolid defense, only breaking the deadlock when Messi converted a penalty won by Gerard Pique just before halftime for his 22nd league goal of the season.

Messi almost scored his second early in the second half but former Barcelona goalkeeper Jordi Masip pulled off a breathtaking stop to deny La Liga's top scorer from close range.

The Argentine had another chance from the penalty spot in the final stages after substitute Philippe Coutinho was fouled but Masip made another impressive save to deny him.

Lionel Messi (C) celebrates scoring the goal with Gerard Pique (L) during the match. /VCG Photo

"We didn't move the ball as quickly as we needed to," said Valverde. "We lacked fluidity in the first half, we had it in the second. We were more ourselves.

"We had six chances but we know that everything is looked at through the result."

Messi has now scored 30 or more goals in each of his last 11 seasons for Barcelona in all competitions.

At times it seemed like Barcelona's minds were already drifting towards the return of the Champions League, with only Pique performing particularly well on his 300th La Liga appearance for the club.

The defender's charge upfield led to Barcelona's penalty in the first half and another similar drive forward got fans out of their seats after the break.

"We weren't the Barca we wanted to be today," said Pique.

"For Tuesday we have to be better or it will go badly for us. If we don't move the ball quickly, dominate possession and create chances, we become a weaker team."

Messi, who has been suffering some discomfort in his thigh, looked fitter than he did last weekend when Barca drew 0-0 with Athletic Bilbao, yet he gave the ball away on numerous occasions.

Valladolid, however, have the least potent attack in La Liga, having scored just 19 goals all season and rarely troubled Barca keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Only Masip prevented Messi from adding to his tally and the goalkeeper completed an impressive homecoming display with a fine save from substitute Suarez at the end.

Atletico Madrid move to second place in the table after Antoine Griezmann's second-half goal saw off Rayo Vallecano. /VCG Photo

Antoine Griezmann's deflected volley earned Atletico Madrid a 1-0 win at Rayo Vallecano, ending a run of two consecutive defeats for Diego Simeone's side.

Atletico struggled in the derby clash against 18th place Rayo but eventually snatched a late victory to move to second place in the table.

Atletico broke the deadlock in the 74th minute at Vallecas when Alvaro Morata teed up Griezmann and his close-range volley deflected past Stole Dimitrievski.

"We know that here in Vallecas they press you a lot, they are a good team, the size of the pitch is difficult," said Atletico forward Diego Costa, who made his return from injury as a substitute.

"It was important to win the game after two defeats, we won here against a good team that will surely stay up."

Source(s): Reuters