Lionel Messi, Ousmane Dembele lead Barca over Celta Vigo

Dec. 22 (UPI) -- Lionel Messi and Ousmane Dembele scored the goals in Barcelona's 2-0 win against Celta Viga in La Liga on Saturday at Camp Nou in Barcelona.

Dembele began the scoring for the home squad, registering his tally in the 10th minute. Jordi Alba spotted Messi running into the box at the start of the sequence. Messi blasted a shot toward the net, but it was blocked by Celta Viga keeper Rubén Blanco.

The ball came back out to Dembele, who buried the rebound by nutmegging Blanco.

Alba earned an assist just before the half, when he found Messi for Barcelona's second score. Alba hovered on the left flank before bringing down a long pass. He took one touch before sending a beautiful bent through ball ahead of the defense, leading Messi. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner took a touch before blasting a left-footed shot into the right side of the net.

"We were up against a great side," Alba told reporters. "The first half was excellent but in the second we took our foot off the gas and they created chances."

Barcelona battles Getafe CF in another La Liga clash at 2:45 p.m. on Jan. 6 at Coliseum Alfonso Perez in Getafe, Spain.