MADRID, Jan. 13-- Leo Messi scored the 400th league goal to gift FC Barcelona the 'Winter Champions' in the Liga Santander with a 3-0 win over Eibar at home on Sunday. Messi netted Barca's second of the night after Luis Suarez had opened the scoring in the first half and Suarez rounded off the scoring shortly afterwards to confirm, not just Barca's win, but also to ensure they reach the midway point of the season with a five point lead over second placed Atletico Madrid. Earlier in the day, Antoine Griezmann's 57th minute penalty after the VAR controversially decreed there had been a deliberate handball in the Levante penalty area, was enough to give Atletico a typical win against the Valencia-based side in the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium on Sunday. Athletic Club Bilbao striker Inaki Williams hadn't scored a league goal in Athletic's San Mames Stadium in over two years (770 days), but then proved that, like buses, goals never gone one at a time. Williams scored two superb individual goals to give Athletic a 2-0 win at home to Sevilla, a result which dents Sevilla's title hopes and lifts Athletic clear of the relegation zone. Sevilla beat Athletic 3-1 in the Cup on Thursday, but the Basque side hardly allowed Sevilla a shot on goal as they continue their drastic improvement under Gaizka Garitano. Real Madrid coach Santiago Solari switched to a system with three central defenders for his side's visit to Betis and was rewarded with a 2-1 win, which came with a big slice of luck. |