Barcelona Return to Summit of La Liga with 2-1 Victory over Malaga

Barcelona left it late to reclaim top spot in La Liga following Real Madrid's victory earlier in the evening.

Lionel Messi's 17th goal of the season proved crucial.

Messi scored in the 84th minute following good work from Xavi Hernandez and Dani Alves allowed the Argentinian to tap home.

The impressive Pedro Rodriguez opened the scoring with his 16th goal of the season in his 50th first team appearance.

The young Spaniard cut inside from the left wing before unleashing a fierce shot from the edge of the box which beat Malaga keeper Gustavo Munua at his near post.

Barcelona dominated first half possession, but were guilty of trying to walk the ball into the back of the net far too often.

Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in particular were guilty of missing glorious chances to open the scoring.

Ibrahimovic looked off the pace as Pedro whipped the ball across from the right. The Swede was left with an open net but was unable to make contact with the ball.

The second half brought much of the same: Barcelona playing intricate one-touch football, but unable to convert the chances into goals.

Up stepped Pedro, who had an excellent match. The 22-year-old's strike flew past Munua to give Barcelona the lead after 69 minutes.

Barcelona were almost left to pay for their missed chances when Valdo equalised for Malaga in the 81st minute.

The former Real Madrid player played a neat one-two with Victor Obinna and slotted the ball past Victor Valdes in the Barcelona goal.

Barcelona must have been thinking Lady Luck was not with them this evening.

However, it took Messi just three minutes to add the winner.

Xavi Hernandez played a diagonal ball to Alves who cut the ball back for Messi to tap home. This time, Barcelona were able to walk the ball into the net.

Barcelona should have won this match with ease but showed character to come back so quickly following the unlikely Malaga goal.

The title race is certainly heating up in Spain with two age-old rivals battling it out to the end.