Leo Messi lived up to his billing as the best player in the world as he scored two goals in FC Barcelona's 3-1 win away to Deportivo la Coruna in the Spanish Primera Liga on Saturday night.

The 22-year-old Argentinean, who last week was named as the Balon D'Or by France Football, opened the scoring for Barcelona in the Riazor Stadium.

The match had been painted as a massive challenge to Barcelona's leadership of the BBVA Primera Liga, against a Deportivo side that is currently fifth in the table.

Deportivo showed its fighting spirit as striker Adrian leveled the scores before the break.

The second half saw Barcelona in control on a windy night in La Coruna, but it was not until Messi headed home a cross from Pedro Rodriguez, who had replaced Thierry Henry.

Zlatan Ibrahimovich added a second with only two minutes remaining to give Barca a vital win.

Earlier in the day Real Madrid had fought back from 2-1 down at home to Almeria to win 4-2.

Everything looked to be going to plan when Sergio Ramos headed Madrid in front in the first half, but his side came out sleeping at the start of the second period and goals from Soriano and Kala Uche turned the game on its head after 58 and 62 minutes.

The ever reliable Gonzalo Higuain leveled the game with 15 minutes remaining before the referee gave a debatable penalty for a supposed foul on Ronaldo after 82 minutes.

The Portuguese player picked himself up but missed his sport kick. He was so busy looking angry that he missed the fact that Karim Benzema had scored the rebound.

Although Ronaldo added a fourth two minutes later, he then got himself sent off for a totally pointless foul on Juanma Ortiz and as a result misses next week's difficult trip to Valencia.

Sevilla's hopes of being title contenders took another blow following a 1-1 draw at home to struggling Valladolid.

Last weekend Sevilla could only draw against struggling Malaga and Saturday's result means that four points have escaped the Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium in just seven days.

Former Manchester United and Hull City forward Manucho opened the scoring for the visitors after 32 minutes, while Brasil international Luis Fabiano equalized a minute after the break.

Atletico Madrid continued its recovery with a 2-0 win away to bottom of the table Xerez.

Atletico had traveled to the South on the back of a 4-0 win at home to Espanyol and had few problems beating a side that already looks a certainty for relegation.

Goals from Diego Forlan and Kun Aguero gave Atletico its third win of the campaign and the second under new coach Quique Sanchez Flores.

Xerez remains bottom with just seven points and four goals scored all season.