BARCELONA • Barcelona star Lionel Messi was showered with praise by both his coach Ernesto Valverde and losing manager Bruno Genesio, after a headline performance in his side's 5-1 second-leg win over Lyon to reach the Champions League quarter-finals.
The forward opened the scoring at the Nou Camp on Wednesday with an audacious penalty and restored control in the tie after Lyon had pulled a goal back to make it 2-1, hitting a decisive third goal after a trademark dazzling run to shake off four defenders.
The Argentinian, who at the start of the season promised to "do everything to bring that beautiful trophy back to the Nou Camp", tore through Lyon's backline twice more to tee up further goals for Gerard Pique and Ousmane Dembele.
"We are all psyched up for the Champions League and so is Leo. He produced an outstanding performance tonight, he was incredible," Valverde told reporters.
Lyon coach Genesio added: "Tonight Messi was in Champions League mode. He's a genius and can do things that nobody else can. Sometimes he is just unstoppable."
A 0-0 draw in France in the first leg last month meant Lyon always had a chance to make Barca nervous, but Messi's sumptuously chipped penalty and a simple finish from Philippe Coutinho looked to have finished the visitors off before half-time.
Yet Lucas Tousart's volley left Lyon one goal away from putting Barcelona out, only for Messi to take charge again with the third goal and his two assists.
"We went out to take the game to them from the very start, we moved the ball quickly and we were at our very best," Messi said.
He had seen his record of eight hat-tricks in the Champions League equalled by Cristiano Ronaldo a day earlier in Juventus' 3-0 win over Atletico Madrid.
12
Consecutive years Barcelona have reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League, a record.
Messi has not hoisted the Champions League trophy since 2015, while Ronaldo has won it four times in the last five seasons with Real and has staked his claim to win it again with Juventus.
On the scoring charts, Messi now has 108 goals in Europe's elite club competition, behind Ronaldo's imperious 124.
"What Cristiano Ronaldo and Juventus did was unbelievable. I thought Atletico would be stronger, but Juve walked all over them and Cristiano had a magical night," he added. "But every team left is difficult, so let's see who we get next."
REUTERS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
A pride of lion cubs became embroiled in family feud while honing their hunting skills when play fighting got a little out of hand. In the series of fascinating images the young lions can be seen
WHERE to hunt lions - answers.com
Apr 18, 2019 · Leading Premier League players will undertake a 24-hour social media boycott on Friday in protest at recent incidents of racist abuse.. The boycott, organised by the players' union, the
EPL players in 24-hour boycott of social media
We want Lionel Messi to always be at Camp Nou: Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu Description: Lionel Messi's current FC Barceloan deal runs until 2021, the same year he turns 34, but the Argentinian has been in brilliant form again this season.
Primera División » News » 'We want Messi to always be at
FAS' media-rights partner begins bankruptcy process MP & Silva's Singapore office has been cleared out. The company's accounts have been frozen, its staff contracts terminated, and all its
FAS' media-rights partner begins bankruptcy process, Football
Saudi Arabia Look for Return to Asian Power Status The days when they were one of the major powers in the region are a fading memory now, though, and in the last two versions of the Asian Cup they have failed to progress from their group.
2022 FIFA World Cup - Wikipedia
Sergio Ramos scored twice to put Real Madrid on the brink of the Copa del Rey semi-finals as they came from behind to beat Girona 4-2 in a thrilling first leg on Thursday. Ramos' chipped penalty gave Madrid a 2-1 half-time lead at the Santiago Bernabeu after Lucas Vazquez had cancelled out Anthony Lozano's early strike.
Aston Villa beat Derby to earn Premier League return Aston Villa are back in the Premier League after a three-year absence thanks to a 2-1 win over Frank Lampard's Derby County at Wembley Stadium.
Football: Hatem wonder strike secures Qatar upset of South Korea | The Star Online ABU DHABI (Reuters) - Qatar's Abdulaziz Hatem scored with a stunning late strike as the 2022 World Cup hosts upset Son Heung-min's South Korea 1-0 to reach the semi-finals of the Asian Cup for the first time on Friday.
Hatim wonder strike against South Korea secures historic AFC
Spurs prevail again in rematch with Lakers. Rudy Gay of the San Antonio Spurs dunks over Lonzo Ball, right, Josh Hart and Johnathan Williams of the Los Angeles Lakers as Gay's teammate
2019 San Antonio Spurs Depth Chart (Live Updates)
Antoine Griezmann's mooted move to Barcelona remains in doubt after Atlético Madrid's president claimed to have had no contact from the LaLiga champions.. No Barcelona contact for Griezmann
Atletico Madrid vs. Valencia - Football Match Report - April
Solskjaer extends perfect record as Man United beat Newcastle Ole Gunnar Solskjaer joined Matt Busby in the Manchester United record books on Wednesday as his inspirational decision to bring on Romelu Lukaku as a substitute paid immediate dividends in a 2-0 victory against Newcastle.
Solskjaer will break incredible Guardiola record if Man
ENGLAND captain Harry Kane wants to finish his career playing American Football. The Tottenham striker revealed he would love to try himself as an NFL kicker "in ten or 12 years" - after retiring
England captain Kane wants to end career as NFL kicker | New
Emery urges players to learn from 'bad experience' at Anfield. The Gunners went in front at Anfield but their fired-up opponents rallied and took them apart, underlining the gulf in class.
Ramsey sparkles as Arsenal sink Napoli | The Express Tribune
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen