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Lionel Messi moved past 300 La Liga goals as Barcelona moved six points clear at the top of the table with a 3-1 win at Sporting Gijon on Wednesday. The five-time World Player of the Year struck either side of Carlos Castro’s well-worked equaliser in a three-goal burst in five first-half minutes.

Luis Suarez missed a second-half penalty days after famously converting Messi’s pass from a spot-kick against Celta Vigo, but made amends with a brilliant finish for Barca’s third.

Atletico Madrid are Barca’s closest challengers with Real Madrid a further point adrift in third.

“We are where we want to be and depend on ourselves,” said Barca boss Luis Enrique.

“I think we controlled the game and created a lot of clear chances despite the problems that are always caused when a team plays a lot of men behind the ball.”

The match had been postponed due to Barcelona’s commitments in the Club World Cup in December and, with a huge clash against fellow strugglers Real Betis to come on Saturday, Sporting boss and former Barca defender Abelardo Fernandez made nine changes to his side from the team that started Friday’s 2-2 draw with Rayo Vallecano. — AFP