Argentine superstar Lionel Messi produced a moment of magic with time running out to help his Barcelona side beat stubborn Alaves 2-1 at home in a week 21 league game played on Sunday night.

The visitors had taken a shock lead through John Guidetti but the league leaders rallied in the second half with in-form Luis Suarez getting the equaliser with eighteen minutes to go before Messi’s magical moment led to the winner eight minutes from time for his 20th league goal of the season.

Earlier, nearest challengers Atletico Madrid had applied pressure on Barcelona with a 3-0 win over bottom club Las Palmas courtesy goals from Antoine Griezmann, Fernando Torres and Thomas Partey.

Week 21 Results (Sunday):

Leganes 3-2 Espanyol

Atletico Madrid 3-0 Las Palmas

Sevilla 1-1 Getafe

Barcelona 2-1 Alaves

Standings (Top 7) via Points:

1. Barcelona 57

2. Atletico Madrid 46

3. Valencia 40

4. Real Madrid 38

5. Villareal 37

6. Sevilla 33