Match ends, Barcelona 2, Valencia CF 0.
BarcelonaBarcelona2ValenciaValencia0
Lionel Messi scored his 400th goal for Barcelona as Luis Enrique's team beat Valencia to stay clear of title rivals Real Madrid.
Messi set up Luis Suarez's opening goal after 55 seconds before scoring his landmark goal in stoppage time.
The Argentine scored his 46th goal of the season at the second attempt after Diego Alves saved his initial effort.
Barcelona were made to work for the win, with keeper Claudio Bravo saving a penalty from Dani Parejo.
Real stayed two points behind leaders Barca after their 3-1 win over Malaga late on Saturday.
Suarez was in scintillating form during the 3-1 Champions League win against Paris St-Germain on Wednesday, and it took him less than a minute to make his mark as Barca turned their attentions back to La Liga.
Sergio Busquets released Messi, who surged forward before finding former Liverpool striker Suarez, who slid home a low shot for his 11th league goal of the season.
Fourth-placed Valencia were given the chance to level from the spot after Gerard Pique's clumsy challenge on Spain striker Rodrigo, but Bravo dived to his right to keep out Parejo's penalty.
Striker Paco Alcacer found space in the Barcelona box and his shot beat Bravo but came back off the upright as Valencia pressed for a leveller.
Pedro had the chance to seal victory but fired into the side-netting after another fine pass from Messi, but the Argentina forward had the final say.
A Valencia attack broke down, allowing Messi through on goal on the break. Alves saved his initial effort but Messi prodded in the rebound to score in his 471st appearance for the club.
Defeat means Valencia are now four points behind third-placed Atletico Madrid.
The defending champions claimed a 2-1 win at Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday, thanks to a brace from France attacker Antoine Griezmann.
Line-ups
Barcelona
Formation 4-3-3
- 13BravoBooked at 90mins
- 22Alves da Silva
- 3Piqué
- 24Mathieu
- 21CorreiaBooked at 27minsSubstituted forRakiticat 45'minutesBooked at 77mins
- 5Busquets
- 14MascheranoBooked at 54mins
- 6HernándezSubstituted forRoberto Carnicerat 80'minutes
- 10Messi
- 9SuárezSubstituted forPedroat 65'minutes
- 11Neymar
Substitutes
- 1ter Stegen
- 4Rakitic
- 7Pedro
- 12Rafinha
- 15Bartra
- 18Alba
- 20Roberto Carnicer
Valencia
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Alves Carreira
- 19Barragán
- 5MustafiBooked at 79mins
- 23OtamendiBooked at 66mins
- 6OrbanBooked at 35minsSubstituted forGayá Peñaat 45'minutes
- 10Parejo
- 18Fuego MartínezBooked at 28mins
- 21André Gomes
- 8FeghouliSubstituted forCanceloat 67'minutes
- 9AlcácerSubstituted forNegredoat 74'minutes
- 17Rodrigo
Substitutes
- 2Cancelo
- 3Vezo
- 4Augusto
- 7Negredo
- 13Rodríguez Oterino
- 20de Paul
- 31Gayá Peña
- Referee:
- José Luis González González
- Attendance:
- 92,915
Match Stats
Home TeamBarcelonaAway TeamValencia
- Possession
- Home69%
- Away31%
- Shots
- Home11
- Away11
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away3
- Corners
- Home6
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home18
- Away18
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Barcelona 2, Valencia CF 0.
Goal!
Goal! Barcelona 2, Valencia CF 0. Lionel Messi (Barcelona) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal following a fast break.
Post update
Attempt saved. Lionel Messi (Barcelona) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Neymar.
Post update
Lionel Messi (Barcelona) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by José Gayá (Valencia CF).
Post update
Corner, Barcelona. Conceded by Javi Fuego.
Booking
Claudio Bravo (Barcelona) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Javier Mascherano (Barcelona) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Daniel Parejo (Valencia CF).
Post update
Corner, Barcelona. Conceded by Nicolás Otamendi.
Post update
Corner, Barcelona. Conceded by Diego Alves.
Post update
Attempt saved. Pedro (Barcelona) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Lionel Messi.
Post update
Foul by Dani Alves (Barcelona).
Post update
Nicolás Otamendi (Valencia CF) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Corner, Barcelona. Conceded by Nicolás Otamendi.
Substitution
Substitution, Barcelona. Sergi Roberto replaces Xavi.
Booking
Shkodran Mustafi (Valencia CF) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Neymar (Barcelona) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Shkodran Mustafi (Valencia CF).