Messi's Brace Sends Barca Third In LaLiga
07 January, 2021
LaLiga
Result: Athletic Bilbao 2-3 FC Barcelona
Date: 06 January 2021
Venue: San Mames
Lionel Messi bagged a good brace to inspire FC Barcelona to a good come-from-behind 3-2 win over Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday evening.
The hosts got off to the perfect start when Inaki Williams opened up the scoring as early as the 3rd minute with a neat finish earlier Marc-Andre Ter Stegen.
Barcelona did not need to wait too much time for the equaliser due to the highly-rated Pedri brought his part level by nodding residence Frenkie de Jong's cross.
Bilbao were forced right into a first-fifty percent re-shuffle as Yuri Berchiche was forced off the pitch with a personal injury and was replaced by Balenziaga.
The Catalan giants took control from thereafter and finally went ahead on 38 minutes through Messi's scientific finish from close range after latching onto Pedri's pass.
Messi had the ball in the rear of the net on 53 a few minutes after skipping at night Bilbao defenders, but the goal was eliminated for offside.
The Barcelona captain had not been to be denied 10 minutes later after completing his brace with a thumping finish from close range between Antoine Griezmann's cross.
After a quiet spell in the half, Bilbao did draw a goal back in the 90th minute after Iker Muniain sent an excellent curling effort past Ter Stegen after Messi had given the ball aside.
On the other hand, Ronald Koeman's men could actually hold for the final short while to secure three tips which sees the side move up to third.
Source: www.soccerladuma.co.za