It was all too easy for Barcelona as they triumphed over Malaga 4-0 at La Rosaleda thanks to a dazzling performance from Lionel Messi.
A decent start to the game saw both sides making dangerous attempts in the first 20 minutes. An in-form Messi was the first to change the scoreboard’s indication, when he took advantage of a good cross from Adriano to thump the ball into the left side of the net to snatch the opener.
The hosts were unable to reply afterward, and so the match finished 1-0 at half time in favour of Pep Guardiola’s club. Only three minutes in the second period, the crowd at the stadium witnessed yet another goal, but again for the visitors.
Barcelona’s Alexis Sanchez sent another message to Real Madrid ahead of the second-leg clash in the Copa del Rey, as he scored his team’s second of the day. Incomplete efforts from Thiago and Adriano gave the Chilean striker a chance to shoot on the rebound.
Three minutes later, Lionel Messi netted his double; Thiago again in the build-up. The Argentine impressively beat the Malaga defence before placing it into the left side of the goal.
After more shots on goal, Messi proved why he was currently regarded as the best on the planet. Nine minutes from time, a solo effort changed the result to 4-0.
Barca were anticipated to finish the match on this note, but they could not manage a clean sheet. On 85 minutes, Recio assisted Rondon for a consolation that came through a quality finish. 4-1 the match ended, meaning that Real Madrid are under pressure to beat Athletic Bilbao if they are to stop the Catalans from closing the gap at the top of La Liga table.
The hosts were unable to reply afterward, and so the match finished 1-0 at half time in favour of Pep Guardiola’s club. Only three minutes in the second period, the crowd at the stadium witnessed yet another goal, but again for the visitors.
Barcelona’s Alexis Sanchez sent another message to Real Madrid ahead of the second-leg clash in the Copa del Rey, as he scored his team’s second of the day. Incomplete efforts from Thiago and Adriano gave the Chilean striker a chance to shoot on the rebound.
Three minutes later, Lionel Messi netted his double; Thiago again in the build-up. The Argentine impressively beat the Malaga defence before placing it into the left side of the goal.
After more shots on goal, Messi proved why he was currently regarded as the best on the planet. Nine minutes from time, a solo effort changed the result to 4-0.
Barca were anticipated to finish the match on this note, but they could not manage a clean sheet. On 85 minutes, Recio assisted Rondon for a consolation that came through a quality finish. 4-1 the match ended, meaning that Real Madrid are under pressure to beat Athletic Bilbao if they are to stop the Catalans from closing the gap at the top of La Liga table.
