Football: Five things we learned from La Liga

Barcelona and Real Madrid needed late winners to see off Valencia and Athletic Bilbao, whilst Atletico Madrid tumbled from first to fifth with defeat at Sevilla.

Here AFP sports looks at five things we learned from week nine in La Liga.

Messi can take pressure penalties
Penalties have proved a rare weakness for Messi and striker partners Luis Suarez and Neymar over the past two seasons. Messi even briefly retired from international football so distraught was he with a blazed effort over the bar that helped hand Chile the Copa America in June.

However, under the most intense pressure with Barca tied 2-2 with Valencia in the 94th minute at Mestalla and facing renowned penalty specialist Diego Alves, Messi coolly slotted into the bottom corner to give the injury ravaged champions a vital victory to keep tabs on Real Madrid at the top of the table.

Sevilla threaten 'big three'

Sevilla's midfielder Steven N'Zonzi celebrates a goal with midfielder Samir Nasri (R) on October 23, 2016 (AFP)