体坛英语新闻：Barcelona makes historical 16th consecutive league win

MADRID, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona made Spanish football history as they beat Atletico Madrid in the Camp Nou on Saturday night.

The 3-0 win was Barcelona's 16th consecutive league triumph, beating the previous record which they had shared with the famous Real Madrid side of the 1960-61 season.

Although it was not Barcelona's best performance of the campaign, it was enough to take them 10 points clear of Real Madrid, who play at home to Real Sociedad on Sunday night.

Atletico traveled to Barcelona on the back of three straight defeats and found themselves behind after just 17 minutes.

Leo Messi was the scorer with a trademark goal, the Barca striker received the ball in the Atletico half and produced a mazy run to the edge of the area before beating David de Gea with a left foot shot.

Shortly afterwards he missed another chance after being set up by Dani Alves, but doubled Barca's lead after 28 minutes. This time David Villa set him up with a defense splitting pass and Messi made no mistake to net his 23rd league goal of the campaign.

Only when they were 2-0 down did Atletico begin to show life, but although Kun Aguero was looking good, Quique Sanchez Flores' decision to leave Diego Forlan on the subs' bench meant he was too often isolated in the Atletico attack.