Lionel Messi scored an astonishing opening goal against Athletic Bilbao
as Barcelona lifted the Copa Del Rey in what could be a treble of
trophies this season.
Having already clinched the Liga
title, and with a Champions League final clash against Juventus set for
next week, the Catalans stayed on course for a historic first season
under Luis Enrique with a comprehensive victory over Athletic.
It was Messi who provided the brightest highlight in the victory for
Barca, squirming through the challenges of three Athletic players and
cutting inside before firing a clinical near post finish into the net.
It set Enrique’s side on their way to a comfortable win at the Camp Nou
- which welcomed nearly 40,000 visiting Athletic supporters - with
Neymar applying the finishing touch on what was a wonderful Barcelona
passing move, tapping home after a square pass across the face of goal
from Luis Suarez.
Athletic Bilbao improved marginally after the
break, but afforded Messi with the chance to score his second and
Barcelona’s third of the night - falling asleep in defence as the
Argentine nipped in to finish Dani Alves’ low cross.
The Basque
side grabbed a consolation goal after 79 minutes, with Inaki Williams
beating Sergio Busquets in the air to glance home past Marc Andre Ter
Stegen, but Barcelona were rarely troubled as they clinched the Copa Del
Rey ahead of next week’s trip to Berlin.
Credit: Eurosport
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