Messi hits the 60 mark

Lionel Messi became the first player to score 60 goals in a season in European top-flight football in almost 40 years when he struck twice in Barcelona's 4-1 win at Real Zaragoza.



Former Germany striker Gerd Muller was the last player to achieve the feat when he scored 67 goals for Bayern Munich in the 1972-73 season.

Messi put Barca 2-1 ahead with a powerful strike into the roof of the net shortly before the interval and he then netted from the penalty spot late on for his 38th La Liga goal of the campaign and his 60th in all competitions.

Relegation-haunted Zaragoza had taken advantage of a slow start from Barca with Carlos Aranda heading them in front in the 30th minute after earlier missing a penalty.

Carles Puyol levelled six minutes later and Messi then took centre stage, the Argentina international also setting up Pedro Rodriguez for the fourth in injury-time.

The victory extended Barcelona's winning run to nine and they are now only three points behind leaders Real Madrid who face third-placed Valencia on Sunday.