Messi Ends Goal Drought With Four-Goal Haul
23 February, 2020
LaLiga
Result: FC Barcelona 5-0 Eibar
Date: 22 February 2020
Venue: Camp Nou
Lionel Messi ended his goal drought by bagging four goals for FC Barcelona, who thrashed Eibar 5-0 to go top of LaLiga on Saturday evening.
Click through the gallery to see action from Barcelona's big make an impression on Eibar.
Quique Setien started without Samuel Umtiti, Sergi Roberto, Frenkie De Jong and Ansu Fati before their UEFA Champions League clash against Napoli, with new signing Martin Braithwaite only named on the bench.
A piece of magic from Messi gave the Catalans the opener following the Argentine worked his way out of a tricky situation for a lofty finish inside 14th minute, ending his run of four games without a goal.
Messi and the house side had another inside 37th minute when he collected Arturo Vidal’s forward pass before firing home from a tight angle.
The Argentine completed his first-half hat-trick three minutes later after capitalising on a defensive error for a first-time finish carrying out a one-two with Antoine Griezmann.
A quick-fire double save from Marko Dmitrovic denied Barca a fourth as Griezmann went close with a decent strike while Sergio Busquets followed through to the rebound in the ultimate minute of the half.
Barca missed another golden chance to stretch their lead 5 minutes after halftime as Ivan Rakitic got on the trunk post to connect with Griezmann’s cross, but Dmitrovic showed sharp reflexes.
Setien gave a debut to new signing Braithwaite who replaced Griezmann following the 72nd minute, as Barca sought out more goals.
Messi finally had a fourth goal when good work from Braithwaite on the left side saw the ball fly over the six-yard area into the path of the Argentine who slotted home within the last three minutes.
There is time for a fifth when good work again from Braithwaite found Arthur Melo, who drilled home from close-range minutes later, as Barca romped to a comfortable triumph.
Source: www.soccerladuma.co.za
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