( CNN ) -- Lionel Messi netted a double as Barcelona moved ever closer to retaining the Spanish league title with a 4-1 win over Tenerife at the Nou Camp on Tuesday night . The strikes were the 30th and 31st for the La Liga top scorer and the victory puts the pressure on arch-rivals Real Madrid for their tricky trip to Real Mallorca on Wednesday . It left Barcelona four points clear of Real , who must win their game in hand to keep their own title hopes alive . Argentina ace Messi put Barcelona ahead after 17 minutes and added a second in the final minute to seal victory against relegation-threatened Tenerife , who stunned the champions by equalizing just before half-time through Roman Martinez . It followed a mistake by home captain Carles Puyol , but Barca upped the pace after the break with goals from Bojan Krkic just after the hour mark and substitute Pedro Rodriguez giving them a comfortable cushion . Messi 's late goal gave the scoreline a flattering look in a match played in driving rain , as Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes conceded . `` It was a difficult night due to the weather and the fixture list is already taking its toll but we gave our all , '' Valdes told AFP . `` It is a very competitive league and we have won our game and now we just have to wait . '' Barcelona will be hoping Mallorca can come up trumps with their strong home record because they face a tough trip to Champions League hopefuls Sevilla on Saturday . Meanwhile in other action on Tuesday , Valencia clinched their place in the Champions League qualifying round , by clinching third spot , with a 3-1 home win over bottom club Xerez . Spanish international Juan Mata equalized a first half goal for Xerez with a superb free kick then added a second after the break . Mata then set up David Silva for Valencia 's third .
Lionel Messi scores 30th and 31st league goals of the season for Barcelona . 2 - 0 win over Valencia boosts Barca 's chances of retaining La Liga title . Real Madrid must win at Real Madrid on Wednesday night to keep their hopes alive .