As Barcelona moved within four points of La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid, Lionel Messi chalked up two brilliant goals on a record-equaling night for the Argentine.Β
Although no fans could be present as Barcelona steamrolled Huesca 4-1 in the Camp Nou on Monday night, an ornate banner was situated where they ought to have been.
Seventeen years after making his senior debut for the club, Lionel Messi pulled equal with former teammate Xavi on 767 games played for Barça.
π³π²π³ πππ ππ¦
π§π’π¨ππππ‘π π§ππ π¦ππ¬#Messi767 #Messi pic.twitter.com/udj2ip76DVβ FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 15, 2021
A record high number, he will likely supersede the Spanish World Cup winner and become the outright leader against Real Sociedad on Sunday afternoon.
On the night he drew level with Xavi, however, Messi proceeded to put on a show befitting a full house.Β As they chase down Diego Simeone's Atletico, the captain got things started with a wonderful goal from range.
A MAGICAL finish from Lionel Messi! π
The strike bounces in off the underside of the bar for his 20th league goal of the season, and Barca have an early lead π₯ pic.twitter.com/H0zyw4ZeAuβ Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) March 15, 2021
A strong start against La Liga's bottom club, Antoine Griezmann doubled the lead with a goal reminiscent of Messi's mid-week strike against PSG in the Champions League.
Now it's Antoine Griezmann's turn to score a SCREAMER! π±
Barca are putting on a show in this first half π₯ pic.twitter.com/rMWPQl3ew7β Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) March 15, 2021
A remarkably fortunate penalty in Huesca's favour reduced the deficit by one, but Γscar Mingueza restored Barcelona's two-goal advantage in the second-half.
It was to be a night for Lionel Messi, however, and he popped up to score a goal typical of the Argentine to finish off an impressive night for Barcelona.
Messi scores another to mark his record-equalling 767th appearance for Barca! π
A comprehensive 4-1 win for the Catalan side at Camp Nou π΅π΄ pic.twitter.com/E1yVPZ65K4β Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) March 15, 2021
Despite Messi's highly-publicised unhappiness with the situation surrounding Barcelona's hierarchy, the club were at pains to highlight his achievement on Monday night.
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After exiting the Champions League against Paris St. Germain last week, Barcelona's focus is purely on domestic matters now.
Sitting four points behind table-toppers Atletico and two points ahead of 3rd placed Real Madrid, Barcelona have yet to play both rivals in what is sure to be a tense final few months to La Liga.
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