Lionel Messi struck twice as Barcelona defeated Eibar 2-0 yesterday.

Messi scored either side of half-time to give Barcelona a 2-0 win at struggling Eibar and ensure the Catalans stay top of the Primera Division the week before next Sunday's crunch match with eternal rivals Real Madrid.

The Argentinian broke the deadlock from the penalty spot shortly after the half-hour mark and then scored a header early in the second half to seal the points for Barcelona.

The brace also sees the 27-year-old move ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo in the La Liga scoring charts, totting up 32 goals in 26 starts.

Barca coach Luis Enrique remarked: "You must try to be dominant and effective in every match. Our opponent didn't make it at all easy for us, and it's essential to be effective in cases like this.

"Eibar didn't look like a team that has just lost seven in a row. They played good football and they fully deserved their great start to the season. I don't think they'll have any trouble avoiding relegation.

"Perhaps we rushed things at times but the way the game went, I think we played well and took it as seriously as we should have."