(CNN) -- It was billed as the battle of the heavyweights. In the red corner -- Radamel Falcao -- one of the most coveted strikers in world football and one of the most lethal finishers around. Only last week, Falcao hit five in his side's demolition of Deportivo to add to his already burgeoning reputation. In the blue corner -- Lionel Messi -- perhaps the greatest to have ever played the game. The man with 88 goals to his name in 2012. The magical and mesmerizing feet of Messi going up against the pace and predatory instincts of Falcao. It had all the ingredients of a classic.
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Lionel Messi took his tally to 90 for the calendar year with two goals against Atletico Madrid
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Messi's double and further goals from Adriano and Sergio Busquets gives Barca 4-1 win
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Real Madrid held to a 2-2 draw by lowly Espanyol
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Real boss Jose Mourinho: "The league is now impossible."
Going into the clash, Messi had plundered 23 league goals to @placeholder's 16.