Barca appeared set for their first defeat under coach Tito Vilanova, who was sent from the dug-out for complaining to the referee midway through the second half, before Messi came to the rescue. <img alt="Barcelona" src="http://images.mid-day.com/2012/aug/leo.jpg" style="width: 400px; height: 260px; " /> Barcelona&rsquo;s Lionel Messi (centre) celebrates a goal with teammates. Pic/AFP Osasuna was the scene of a Barca defeat last season that helped to turn the title race against them and they went behind this time after a 17th-minute goal from Joseba Llorente. After the visitors missed a hatful of opportunities, the game appeared to be going against them, until Messi rose to the occasion with strikes after 75 and 80 minutes. Osasuna&rsquo;s Francisco Punal was red-carded by the referee for protesting about the Argentine&rsquo;s first strike, as he felt he was offside. Victory provisionally took Barcelona top of the early-season standings, above Rayo Vallecano on goal difference.

Lionel Messi struck a late brace to give Barcelona a 2-1 win over 10-man Osasuna on Sunday that took them to the top of the Spanish Liga table

Messi's brace saves Barca

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Messi's brace saves Barca

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