Lionel Messi inspired Barcelona to the Champions League quarter-finals with two goals and two assists in their 5-1 victory over Lyon at the Nou Camp on Wednesday evening.
In a last 16 draw filled with upsets and comebacks, Barca strived to make home advantage count after a goalless first leg in France three weeks ago.
Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Second Leg match between FC Barcelona and Olympique Lyonnais at Nou Camp on March 13, 2019 in Barcelona, Spain.
Image credit: Getty Images
Messi swept in a delightful Panenka penalty early on after Luis Suarez contentiously won the spot-kick, with the latter then assisting Philippe Coutinho for Barca’s second before the break, but they were made to sweat when Lucas Tousart scored just before the hour-mark.
However, Messi took the game beyond Lyon, dancing his way through their defence for Barca’s third, setting up Gerard Pique for the fourth with a delightful pass, before then laying it off for Ousmane Demeble for a fifth.
The result sees Barca reach the quarters for a record 12th straight season.
TALKING POINT
Barcelona last Spaniards standing - With Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid out, Barca head into Friday’s draw as Spain’s sole representatives in the last eight, while England have four clubs still in contention for the first time since 2009.
Champions League - Round of 16 Second Leg - FC Barcelona v Olympique Lyonnais - Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain - March 13, 2019 Barcelona's Gerard Pique celebrates scoring their fourth goal
Image credit: Reuters
However, Barca will fancy their chances in their bid to reach the final in Madrid on June 1. The draw, of course, will play a huge part, as will the presence of Juventus and Manchester City, but with the Champions League as wide open as it has been in years, the fans in Catalonia will expect their club to go all the way to the Spanish capital. And with Messi in that form, why not.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Lionel Messi – One night after Cristiano Ronaldo’s hat-trick, Messi took centre stage with two goals and two assists at the Nou Camp. His penalty was devilishly good, while he left two defenders in a twist for his second.
Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring during the UEFA Champions League round of 16, second leg football match between FC Barcelona and Olympique Lyonnais at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on March 13, 2019.
Image credit: Getty Images
He then followed that up with an inch-perfect pass for Pique and simple assist for Dembele. The world is craving a Ronaldo-Messi showdown in the final – it’s up to Friday’s draw to make that path possible!
PLAYER RATINGS
Barcelona XI: Ter Stegen 6, Roberto 6, Pique 7, Lenglet 7, Alba 6, Arthur 7, Busquets 7, Rakitic 7, Coutinho 7, Messi 9, Suarez 8. Subs: Dembele 7, Vidal 6, Semedo N/A.
Lyon XI: Lopes 6, Dubois 5, Denayer 6, Marcelo 5, Marcal 5, Mendy 5, Tousart 6, Fekir 6, Ndombele 6, Depay 5, Dembele 5. Subs: Gorgelin 6, Traore 6, Cornet 6.
KEY MOMENTS
16’ - PENALTY TO BARCELONA! Denayer catches Suarez and the referee points to the spot. Step forward Messi...
17’ - GOAL! MESSI SCORES FROM THE SPOT! Messi is made to wait because of VAR... but it's worth the wait... He dinks in the most delightful of Panenkas to hand Barca the lead.
31’ - GOAL BARCELONA! 2-0 And Coutinho taps the ball into the back of the net! Suarez is onside and he takes Lopes out of the equation by playing it over to Coutinho, who has an empty goal to aim for from six yards out. Never missing that.
Philippe Coutinho of FC Barcelona celebrates his side's second goal during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Second Leg match between FC Barcelona and Olympique Lyonnais at Nou Camp on March 13, 2019 in Barcelona, Spain
Image credit: Getty Images
58’ - HANG ON A MINUTE! LYON HAVE SCORED! I called it mission impossible, but Tousart has bundled the ball home after Barca fail to clear a cross!
78’ - GOAL MESSI! THAT IS DELIGHTFUL - Gorgelin gets a hand to the effort, but he can't prevent Messi from getting his second of the night after dancing his way through Lyon's defence, sending two defenders the wrong way before shooting. Lovely.
81’ - ANOTHER GOAL FOR BARCA! Pique gets Barca's fourth after joining their attack on a devastating counter. Messi picks him out from nowhere and Pique is there to tap in at the back post.
86’ - GOAL! A FIFTH FOR BARCA! Two goals, and now two assists for Messi, who plays it over for Dembele to fire in a deflected effort. Harsh on Lyon, but it's turning into a rout.
KEY STATS
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