Copa Del Rey: Lionel Messi Puts on Masterclass in front of Philippe Coutinho Lionel Messi was at his brilliant best yet again on Thursday as Barcelona put in a superb display to thrash Celta Vigo 5-0 in the Copa del Rey Goals from Luis Suarez and Ivan Rakitic followed but it was Messi’s night once again and his recent record in the Copa del Rey is something else.
.in front of new recruit Philippe Coutinho as Barcelona trounced Celta Vigo 5-0 Thursday to ease into the Copa del Rey quarter-finals 6-1 on aggregate. Coutinho, dressed in a black shirt dotted with white stars, was in the stands at the Camp Nou for the first time since his €160 million move from Liverpool.5️⃣ of the best from Barça – now you can watch them all again and again! 😍https://t.co/kAMWu74JAx
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 11, 2018
It didn’t take long for the Brazilian star to appreciate the playing riches on show on the pitch. “The first half was extraordinary,” said Barca coach Ernesto Valverde. Level at 1-1 after the first leg, the three-time defending champions were 4-0 up by half-time.87: ⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽ GOOOAAALLL! Rakitic makes it 5-0! #CopaBarça pic.twitter.com/dr78oNPPZE
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 11, 2018
Messi grabbed the opening two goals in the 13th and 15th minutes, both finished with a sublime first touch with his left foot, both created by Jordi Alba.Messi then returned the favour by setting up Alba to score past the hapless Sergio Alvarez in the Celta goal before Luis Suarez made it 4-0 on the night after 30 minutes when the Uruguayan burst through the defence. Dembele did have time to set up the fifth goal of the night three minutes from the end when his corner was headed home from close range by an unmarked Ivan Rakitic. “It’s luxury to have Leo in the side, he’s the best in history. We always look for each other to score goals and today we have done it twice,” said Alba. Earlier Thursday, Espanyol overturned a 2-1 loss in the first leg to defeat Levante 2-0 with Leo Baptistao and Gerard Moreno on target either side of half-time. Sevilla also progressed with a 2-1 win at home to second-tier Cadiz for a 4-1 aggregate. Wissam Ben Yedder, after 31 minutes, and Joaquin Correa in the 54th minute, were on target for Vincenzo Montella’s team. On Wednesday, Real Madrid laboured to a 2-2 draw with Numancia to progress to the quarter-finals 5-2 on aggregate. In a much-changed side, Lucas Vazquez scored both of Real’s goals after the 11th and 59th minutes. But on both occasions, their modest visitors fought back thanks to a brace from Guillermo on the stroke of half-time and then after 82 minutes. Numancia ended the game with 10 men after captain Dani Calvo was red-carded in the dying moments. Leganes, a modest club from the Madrid suburbs, reached the quarter-finals for the first time in their 89-year existence. Despite losing 2-1 at Villarreal, who are currently sixth in La Liga, Leganes progressed on away goals having won the first leg 1-0. Moroccan international Nabil El Zhar scored the crucial away goal for mid-table Leganes on the half-hour mark.]]>⏰ The second half under way at Camp Nou! FC Barcelona 4-0 Celta ⚽ Leo #Messi (2), @JordiAlba and @LuisSuarez9 🔵🔴🏆 #ForçaBarça #CopaBarça pic.twitter.com/SUokkBgxaG
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 11, 2018