Lionel Messi's 50th goal

By wining BARCELONA, Lionel Messi became the first player in Spain to score 50 goals in a club season, helping Barcelona rebound from its loss to Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final with a 2-0 victory over Osasuna on Saturday 23rd April.

Barcelona rested most regular starters in preparation for Wednesday's first leg of the Champions League semifinal against Real Madrid -- the third of four matches between the rivals in an 18-day span.

David Villa scored his 18th goal and first in 12 games in the 24th minute. Messi replaced Villa in the 58th and rolled home his league-leading 31st goal with three minutes left. With 177 goals for Barcelona in all competitions, Messi is one behind Josep Samitier for third place on the Barcelona career scoring list, trailin, Cesar Rodriguez (235) and Laszlo Kubala (196).Messi scored on 89 minuits.

Seeking its third straight La Liga title, Barcelona extended its league unbeaten streak to 31 games and maintained an eight-point lead over second-place Real Madrid with five games in hand.

Three days after hoisting its 18th domestic cup and first trophy in nearly three years with a 1-0 overtime victory over Barcelona, Real Madrid returned to the Mestalla Stadium and routed Valencia 6-3.

Gonzalo Higuain scored three goals, Kaka two and Karim Benzema one as Madrid became the first visiting team to score six goals at the Mestalla. Roberto Soldado, Jonas and Jordi Alba scored for Valencia.

In the late game, Athletic Bilbao defeated Real Socidead 2-1.