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MADRID. — Barcelona closed to within two points of Real Madrid at the top of the Spanish La Liga soccer table as Lionel Messi scored twice in a thrilling 4-2 win over 10-man Valencia at Camp Nou on Sunday. Earlier, Antoine Griezmann scored a stunning free-kick as Atletico Madrid compounded a week to forget for Sevilla with a 3-1 at the Vicente Calderon. Barca needed to come from behind to keep the pressure on Madrid as Eliaquim Mangala headed Valencia in front. But the defender was sent-off for pulling down Luis Suarez after the Uruguayan equalised and Messi scored the resulting penalty. Munir El Haddadi briefly levelled for the 10 men before half-time, but Messi and finally Andre Gomes with his first Barca goal . —AFP.