Messi two goals away from La Liga goal record

Lionel Messi has made more assists - seven - than any other La Liga player this season. Photo: BBC

Lionel Messi moved to within two goals of becoming the all-time La Liga record goalscorer after he netted in Barcelona's victory over Eibar.

After a goalless first half, Messi's through-ball found Xavi, who chipped keeper Xabi Iruretagoiena to put the league leaders ahead after an hour.

Brazil striker Neymar volleyed in Dani Alves's chip to double their advantage.

Messi made it 3-0 in the 74th minute after racing through the Eibar defence for his 250th La Liga goal.

The 27-year-old is one behind Telmo Zarra's record for Athletic Bilbao in the 1940s and 1950s.

Messi will break the record if he scores two goals or more in next Saturday's game against arch-rivals Real Madrid, the first El Clasico of the season.

That match is expected to mark Luis Suarez's first competitive game in a Barcelona shirt after serving a ban for biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini during Uruguay's 2014 World Cup group match in Brazil in June.

Suarez will feature for a Barcelona side that has dropped just two points all season and has yet to concede a goal in eight La Liga games at the start of the season, a league record.

Barca needed Xavi to come to the rescue on the hour to finally break the resistance of a resolute Eibar side who are enjoying their first season in the top flight.

Neymar quickly added to the lead and then combined with Messi for the Argentine to notch his 250th league goal.

Barca are at home to Ajax in the Champions League on Tuesday before travelling to the Spanish capital to face Real Madrid.