Barcelona who have two games ahead, are nine points behind leaders Real Sociedad

Lionel Messi scores in Barcelona win over Levante in Laliga on sunday to cool tensions after a chaotic week for the Catalan club.

In a game that was dominated by Barcelona with an array of chances but saw the likes of Martin Braithwaite, Clement Lenglet, Jordi Alba and Antoine Griezmann all had chances but failed to hit the back of the net with keeper Aitor Fernandez in fine form.

But there was little Fernandez could do when Messi struck from an angle after Frenkie de Jong's assist.The Argentine punched the air more in relief than celebration, having failed to score in Barca's recent defeats by Cadiz and Juventus. But the game had its nervy moments with Barca surviving a late VAR review for a handball against Samuel Umtiti and Levante will be gutted that Jorge de Frutos and substitute Son could not find the back of the net against Barcelona.

The win lifted Barca up to eighth in the standings on 17 points after 11 games, closing the gap with leaders Real Sociedad and second-placed Atletico Madrid to nine points.