La Liga: Lionel Messi scores 400th goal for Barcelona in 2-0 win over Valencia

Lionel Messi scored his 400th goal for Barcelona to round off a nervy but vital 2-0 win over Valencia to keep the Catalans top of the Primera Division.

The Argentinian scored with the last kick of the game after Luis Suarez had opened the scoring inside the first minute of the match, but this impressive Valencia side were unlucky not to take more from the game, and Dani Parejo passed up an opportunity to equalise in the first half from the penalty spot.

However, Barcelona made it to half-time unscathed and then produced a solid second-half performance to take the three points.

The Catalans remain first in the Primera Division thanks to the win, while Valencia stay in fourth, suffering just their second league defeat in 2015.

Luis Enrique made a number of changes to the side that beat Paris St Germain 3-1 three days earlier, bringing in Adriano for Jordi Alba and Xavi for the injured Andres Iniesta. He also deployed two holding midfielders in Sergio Busquets and Javier Mascherano, with Jeremy Mathieu partnering Gerard Pique at the back -just as he had done against Valencia at the Mestalla in November.

The plan conversely gave Barca a lot less control in the middle of park than they would have wanted, even though they got off to a dream start.

Pique halted a Valencia break and gave the ball to Busquets, who released Messi on the right. The Argentinian glided towards the box and slipped the ball to Suarez, who poked it under Diego Alves to score his third goal in four days and 10th in his last 11 matches.

Valencia took no time to react. Rodrigo raced into the box from the left and pulled his shot just wide of the far post.

The visitors were then given a golden opportunity to level on 10 minutes when Rodrigo went to ground after a soft-looking challenge from Pique. Parejo had scored all his penalties taken this season but, perhaps distracted by the immense noise from the home fans, got little power on his spot-kick and Claudio Bravo guessed correctly to catch the ball.

However, Valencia continued to fly forward. Nicolas Otamendi headed wide at the near post, then Paco Alcacer appeared at the near post to meet a cross but sent his shot wide of the other post.

The Spain international later struck a post and on another break blazed over the bar. Barca were powerless to stop Valencia's storm of attacks but at the other end Messi should have doubled their lead before half-time, firing wide at the near post with his right boot.

Messi came even closer to scoring his milestone goal for Barcelona when his free-kick clipped the crossbar 20 minutes into the second half.

The second period was a much more tranquil affair for the Catalans, with Luis Enrique wisely bringing on Ivan Rakitic for Adriano after the break, reverting to the team's usual 4-3-3 formation.

Valencia were afforded far less space as a result of the tactical switch and created only one chance of note, when Rodrigo stuck out a leg to direct a loose ball in a crowded box towards goal, but Bravo made another important save.

Pedro could have sealed the points but his near-post shot was tipped away by Alves, and Valencia then threw all their outfield players forward in search of an stoppage-time equaliser.

However, Barcelona cleared quickly and Messi raced free towards goal. He failed to beat Alves with his initial shot but the ball bounced kindly into his path, allowing him to slot the ball into an empty net and pass yet another milestone in his sensational career for the club.