Fútbol Americano
2015-16 Spanish LaLiga
EIB 
0
Finalizado
 BAR
4
PA Sport 8y

Lionel Messi scores twice as Barcelona hammer Eibar

A mesmeric performance from Lionel Messi ensured Barcelona barely noticed the absence of Neymar as they eased to a 4-0 win at Eibar.

The Brazilian was suspended for the trip to a rain- and wind-swept Ipurua but his replacement Munir El Haddadi opened the scoring after just eight minutes, finishing off a move started by a beautifully chipped pass by Messi.

The Argentina star then netted either side of the break, first with a sweeping low drive and then from the penalty spot, before Suarez completed the rout, netting for the first time in four matches.

It was the 100th goal scored by one of the the 'MSN' trident of Messi, Suarez and Neymar and completed an 11th straight league win which further strengthens Luis Enrique's side's bid to retain the Primera Division title.

Barcelona thrashed Rayo Vallecano 5-1 on Thursday but a yellow card to Neymar meant he missed a first league game since the 2-1 win at Malaga on January 17, opening up a rare place in the starting line-up for Munir, who had stood in for the forward in that same game at La Rosaleda.

And just as he had done in that match, the 20-year-old gave Barca an early lead here from a move started by Messi and also involving Suarez.

There appeared to be little danger for Eibar as Barca took a throw in down the right-hand side, but Messi suddenly produced a wicked curled pass with the inside of his left boot to pick out Suarez on the right of the box, and the Uruguayan needed two touches to lay the ball on for Munir to knock in at the far post.

Barca grew stronger after taking the lead but could have ended up level shortly before the break when Sergio Busquets tried to clear a pass by Eibar striker Borja Baston and only narrowly avoided putting the ball into his own net.

But Barca quickly increased their margin from one goal to two, Munir releasing Messi who coasted into the box and dragged the ball across and into the far corner.

Messi attempted to score again from a free-kick and was denied by Asier Riesgo, but was soon presented with a simpler chance to score when Ivan Ramis gave away a penalty for handball.

Suarez had missed from the spot against Rayo so Messi, who had scored from 12 yards against Arsenal a fortnight ago, stepped up and netted his second of the afternoon.

Suarez was still desperate to get on the scoresheet though, after failing to score against Arsenal, Sevilla and Rayo, and he ended his mini-drought on 84 minutes.

Claudio Bravo threw the ball beyond the halfway line and substitute Sergi Roberto helped it towards Suarez on the right. The Uruguayan then knocked the ball through the legs of a defender and fought his way past another before striking into the far bottom corner.

^ Al Inicio ^