Barcelona's Andres Iniesta (R) competes during a Spanish league soccer match between Barcelona and Valencia in Barcelona, Spain, on April 14, 2018. Barcelona won 2-1. (Xinhua/Joan Gosa)
MADRID, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Luis Suarez and Samuel Umtiti scored the goals as FC Barcelona recovered from their midweek Champions League exit to beat Valencia 2-1 to extend their lead at the top of the Liga Santander table and set a new record of 39 unbeaten matches in Spain.
Barca rode their luck at times and had goalkeeper Ter Stegen to thank for keeping an impressive Valencia at bay until the closing minutes of the game.
Goncalo Guedes had the first chance of the game, but Ter Stegen was at full stretch to save his curling shot and as so often happens against Barca, the league leaders needed just one chance to score as Luis Suarez accepted Coutinho's pass to score.
Guedes continued to be a constant threat and had two more chances; one of which was blocked and another which drew another save from the Barca keeper, who was also called into action to deny Valencia's top scorer, Rodrigo.
Valencia's midfield was giving Barca a hard-time as they looked to end their 38-run of games without defeat, but a Messi header wide of the post reminded them you can never be overconfident in the Camp Nou.
The visitors should have been level just three minutes after the break after Rodrigo took advantage of Umtiti's error to round Ter Stegen, only for Gerard Pique to clear his shot off the line when it looked easier to score.
Again the miss was punished as Umtiti atoned for his error heading home Barca's second from a Coutinho corner in the 52nd minute, before Coutinho, who was having an influential game, flashed a long range shot just wide of the post.
Neto then produced an acrobatic save to deny Andres Iniesta's acrobatic volley, while Messi fired just wide.
Valencia got a late lifeline when Dembele brought down Jose Gaya and Dani Parejo scored a penalty which sneaked under Ter Stege, but there was no time for an equalizer.
