Four league games without scoring, forever for Lionel Messi. The Argentine striker put an end to this "anomaly" by scoring four goals against Eibar (5-0) on Saturday afternoon at Camp Nou. A victory that allows FC Barcelona to temporarily regain the lead in La Liga, with two points ahead of Real Madrid, who will play in the evening at Levante.
The Barcelona captain offered a recital to his supporters on the 25th day of Liga. Launched by Rakitic, Messi eliminated his defender from a subtle little bridge before concluding with the left foot, resisting the return of Eibar players to open the brand (15th).
Then, a few minutes before half-time, the left-hander concluded in power after an acceleration which left behind the rearguard of Eibar (37th). The Argentinian was then opportunistic by taking the ball with a dry strike after a failed face-to-face with Antoine Griezmann (40th).
Braithwaite decisive for his first match
For his first match in the Catalan jersey, Martin Braithwaite participated in the party. The former Toulousain, who came into play in place of Griezmann for the last quarter of an hour of the match, served his captain on the fourth goal (87th). The Danish striker, who came from Léganes as a medical joker, then thought he opened his counter with Barcelona. But the doorkeeper of Eibar intervened, leaving it to Arthur to conclude in the empty goal. On the French side, in addition to Griezmann, Clément Lenglet was titular, while Samuel Umtiti came into play.
After the heated exchanges with his sports director Eric Abidal in the press, Lionel Messi responded on the lawn, his favorite playground. What to ease tensions within the club? Elements of answers from Tuesday evening in the knockout stages of the Champions League, during the move from Barça to Naples.
