Barcelona's Lionel Messi (C), Luis Suarez (L) and Jordi Alba celebrate a goal against Cordoba during their Spanish First division soccer match at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona December 20, 2014. REUTERS/Albert Gea
BARCELONA (Reuters) - Lionel Messi scored two late goals and Luis Suarez got his first in La Liga as Barcelona crushed struggling Cordoba 5-0 on Saturday to finish the year a point behind leaders Real Madrid. In-form Pedro put Barca ahead after 71 seconds, the second fastest goal in La Liga this season, with a clinical finish from a ball over the top of the defence by Ivan Rakitic. The signs were ominous for Cordoba as they found themselves encamped in their own half, although Barca did not add to their lead until early in the second half through Suarez.
With the Cordoba players’ heads going down, Gerard Pique nodded a third before Messi's double took his season La Liga tally to 15 behind Cristiano Ronaldo who has 25 for Real Madrid. Xavi came on as a second-half substitute in his 741st match for Barca, equalling the record of Real's Raul for the number of games played for a single club in Spanish football.
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