Messi scores late goal but Madrid tighten grip on title in La Liga

Barcelona's Lionel Messi shoots to score during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Villarreal and Barcelona at the Ceramica stadium in Villarreal, Spain, Jan 8, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

Although Leo Messi scored his second free kick in just four days in the last minute of the game to cancel out Nico Sansone's opener for Villarreal, the two dropped points saw Barca slip to five points behind Real Madrid, who also have a game in hand, allowing Sevilla leapfrog over them into second place in the table.

Both sides saw good penalty claims for handball turned down by referee Iglesias Villanueva, but Barca were again playing short of their best as Andre Gomes produced another disappointing display, while Ivan Rakitic was again left out of the squad.

On Saturday, Real Madrid enjoyed their 39th unbeaten game thanks to a comfortable 5-0 win at home to struggling Granada.

Zinedine Zidane's side were in control from start to finish in their first league game in almost a month, and took the lead with a 12th minute Isco goal, before Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo and Isco (again) made it 4-0 by halftime.

Casemiro added a fifth in the second half in a match which highlighted Granada's problems as they find themselves deep in the relegation zone.

Meanwhile Sevilla, who are preparing to entertain Madrid in one week's time, managed to bag a 4-0 away win to Real Sociedad.