FC Barcelona News
Heartbreak for Barcelona
April 25th, 2012Barcelona are out of the UEFA Champions League after drawing 2-2 with 10-man Chelsea at the Camp Nou. In an eventful match Barça were unable to capitalise on their dominance– they went 2-0 up through goals by Busquets and Iniesta, but were pegged back on the stroke of half time by a goal from Ramires. In the second half Barcelona attacked relentlessly, but couldn’t score the crucial third, and collapsed at the end to a breakaway Torres goal.
The first half was as dramatic as any at the Camp Nou this season. It started with Barcelona exerting near constant pressure on the Chelsea defence. And the first chance arrived within three minutes, when quick interplay between Messi and Sánchez saw Messi through against Cech, but the Argentine slammed his right-footed effort into the side-netting.
Soon after, Valdés had to clear a long-ball by Petr Cech, but in doing so crashed into Piqué, knocking him out cold. The centre-half would go on to play ten more minutes before getting withdrawn.
At the other end Messi drew a smart close range stop from Cech and Cesc volleyed wide after a clever ball over the top by Cuenca. But the pressure was starting to tell now, and just after the thirty-minute mark Barcelona took the lead. Alves, on for Piqué, released Cuenca on the right, who crossed low for Busquets to arrive late and slot home.
The remainder of the half was full of incident – first John Terry inexplicably kicked Alexis off the ball, earning a red card. Then with Chelsea caught high up the pitch and trying to recover, Alexis laid the ball off for Messi, who threaded it through down the left for Iniesta, who in turn made no mistake with an elegant side-footed finish into the bottom right corner.
But then, as half time beckoned, Chelsea scored a goal from nowhere. Lampard spotted Ramires’ run, and the Brazilian produced a deft chip which looped over Valdés and down into the net. The goal put Chelsea back in the lead in the tie on away goals.
In the second half Chelsea defended in a 6-3 formation and Barcelona toiled to find gaps, but few were forthcoming.
On one of the rare occasions that Barcelona managed to draw Chelsea players out of position, Cesc flicked the ball away from Drogba on the right side of the area, earning a penalty from the forward’s lunge. Messi stepped up but drove his spot-kick onto the cross bar and out.
After the penalty Barcelona appeared to be discouraged, and found it increasingly difficult to carve open the massed Chelsea ranks – Messi cut in from the right and hit the bottom of the post from outside the area, and Cuenca forced a stop from Cech. Any hopes of qualifying were wiped out by Torres’ goal when Barça had committed the whole team forward. A long kick downfield left the Spanish forward one-on-one with Valdes, and he rounded the ‘keeper before passing it in.
1-0 Busquets (min 34)
2-0 Iniesta (min 43)
2-1 Ramires (min 45)
2-2 Fernando (min 92)
Advantage Chelsea After Frustrating Night
April 19th, 2012Barcelona will have to overcome a one-goal deficit to proceed to the Champions League Final, after losing the first leg 1-0 to Chelsea. Barça completely dominated the first half, but fluffed a number of openings and were hit by a sucker punch from Didier Drogba just before the break. The second half was more subdued, but Barcelona managed to create a couple of chances, most notably in the very last minute when Busquets failed to put away a straightforward rebound from seven yards.
Chelsea ceded possession and got men behind the ball. Most of the match was played out in their territory, as they waited for counter attacks, set pieces and long-balls up to Drogba to put Barça under pressure.
Still, Barcelona were dangerous, and almost scored from their first chance. Iniesta lofted a pinpoint pass through for Alexis in an inside-left position. The Chilean forward then lobbed it over Cesc, but, agonisingly, the ball bounced back off the crossbar.
Minutes later Cesc should have made it 1-0 to Barcelona. Iniesta fizzed a low shot towards Cech’s bottom-left corner, and when the ball rebounded to Fábregas the midfielder miscued his shot from six yards with the goal gaping.
Despite efforts by the home team to disrupt the flow the match the chances continued to flow for Barcelona. Cesc turned inside Cahill on the left side of the area, but his shot was beaten away by Cech.
Cesc had another opportunity to open the scoring just before half-time, when Messi bustled forward and slipped a smart ball behind the defence for him. This time Cesc chipped it over the ‘keeper, but Ashley Cole intervened on the line at the last second.
Chelsea had posed some threat from long throws, but didn’t get a clear sight of Barça’s goal until the stroke of halftime when Lampard spotted Ramires breaking down the left. The Brazilian had plenty of space in front of him and worked his way to the edge of the area before squaring for Drogba who swept it home to give Chelsea an unlikely lead.
In the second half Barcelona found their play increasingly stifled, and started to lose momentum. Chelsea were even less enterprising than in the first half and spent the remainder camped in front of their box.
Although chances were more limited, Barça did get a few glimpses of goal. Adriano drove in from the left and curled a long-range shot that Cech had to push away. A few minutes after, Alexis was released by a delicate Cesc pass, but sent his shot wide under pressure from Ashley Cole.
From there Barcelona toiled against the resilient Chelsea defence, and space was hard to find. The match seemed to be limping to the final whistle when Messi and Sergio combined, and the ball fell to Pedro. His shot rebounded off the post and into Sergio’s path, but the midfielder was off balance and couldn’t make the right connection.
Barcelona Make Light Work of Milan
April 4th, 2012FC Barcelona reached the semi-finals of the Champions League after beating AC Milan 3-1 at the Camp Nou on Tuesday night. Messi scored two penalties and Iniesta slotted home a third. Nocerino scored for AC Milan in the first half, making it 1-1 and briefly giving his team the lead in the tie. At any rate the home team created numerous opportunities and could easily have qualified by a greater margin.
Barcelona dominated both the share of chances and possession in the first half, finding space with relative ease despite the away side’s efforts to sit deep and compact. Milan tended to keep Robinho and Ibrahimovic forward for counter attacks, but for the most part the supply lines were cut off by Barça’s incessant pressing.
The home team started creating opportunities within just a few minutes of the kick-off. Cesc lofted a delicate chip behind the Milan defence for Messi, but Argentine got it wrong and scuffed his shot wide with just Abbiati to beat.
Soon after, Barcelona won a penalty. Messi, seized on an error by Milan high up the pitch. He got into the area but elected to square for Xavi rather than shoot. The ball found its way back to the feet of Messi, who was felled by Antonini as the defender tried to recover. Messi stepped up and tucked the penalty into the bottom left corner.
For the next 20 minutes Barcelona looked very comfortable – keeping the ball well and winning it back before Milan could build any attacks. But suddenly, against the run of play, Ibrahimovic received the ball deep in the Barcelona half and picked out Nocerino as the midfielder overlapped. Nocerino slid the ball beneath Valdes to make it 1-1 with Milan’s first shot on goal and give them the lead in the tie.
There was more urgency from the home team after conceding, and following a couple of shots from distance they earned another penalty. Xavi swung in a corner, but Nesta had a handful of Busquets’ shirt and brought the midfielder down. Messi took the penalty again and dispatched into the bottom right corner this time
Milan emerged with more attacking intent in the second half, but couldn’t achieve more than a couple of corners before Barcelona had exteneded their lead. A Messi shot was deflected into Iniesta’s path. Faced with only the ‘keeper to beat he curled the ball neatly inside the right post.
Milan fought to get a foothold in the match, sending a handful of dangerous long passes behind the Barcelona backline, but Valdés and his defence dealt with them comfortably enough. It was Barcelona who came closest to getting the next goal – Cesc lofted a pass forward to Messi, who chested it down and laid it off for Thiago to just miss the right hand post with a low shot. Later, only a desperate last-second lunge by Abbiati denied Messi a hat-trick after a mix-up in the Milan defence.
1-0 Messi (min 10)
1-1 Nocerino (min 32)
2-1 Messi (min 40)
3-1 Iniesta (min 53)
Barcelona Frustrated Away at Resilient Milan
March 29th, 2012Barcelona head to settle for a 0-0 draw against AC Milan at the San Siro on Wednesday night. Although neither side created too many chances, Barça had more openings, but were just unable to add might the crucial finish. They might also have had a penalty in the first half when Abbiati appeared to bring down Alexis.
AC Milan almost caught Barcelona cold inside three minutes. Heavy pressure from the home team saw Ibrahimovic nod the ball across to Robinho, but the Brazilian forward completely miscued his volley, slicing it harmlessly over.
But after the let-off Barcelona soon found their feet and began to pen Milan back to the edge of their area. With ten minutes gone Messi struck the ball low from the edge of the area – it looked a routine save for the Abbiati, but the man ‘keeper fumbled it, offering a brief opportunity for Alves to steal, who was unable to make the right contact.
The pressure was starting to mount, and Barça should have had a penalty after a cleverly worked free-kick. Alexis got the ball inside the area, fought off a rugged challenge from Nocerino, and when he tried to round Abbiati appeared to be brought down. The referee decided it wasn’t, and Barcelona continued to battle for openings through the massed Milan ranks.
Milan though were still a threat on the break, and mustered another half chance – Ambrosini won the ball back on the halfway line, and Kevin-Prince Boateng threaded a pass through for Ibrahimovic whose attempted left-foot finish was poorly executed and rolled into Valdés’ arms.
Barça resumed their domination but were unable to take the lead before half time – Alexis got in behind the Milan defence, but Atonini recovered to make a key block, and Xavi forced another save from Abbiati with a shot from the edge of the area.
The second half was a much more subdued affair, with few sights of goal for either team. In fact it was more than half an hour before a chance of note. Milan were perhaps the stronger of the two teams in the early stages, as they exerted pressure off the ball on the Barcelona defence. Despite getting the ball in some dangerous areas Milan were unable to force as much as a save from Valdés.
The determined and stubborn performance by some Milan’s defensive players was a major factor that kept Barcelona short of their best going forward. On the rare occasions that Barça found some room, as Messi did against Nesta, a clever foul slowed the game down once more.
As the match wore on Barcelona sensed the upper hand against their dogged but tiring opponents, but just couldn’t make it count. Messi’s shot was blocked by Ambrosini and bounced out for a corner. Xavi curled it in and Puyol saw his diving header flash across the face of goal. Later, Messi wriggled free down the right, but Abbiati made a crucial stop once more.
Majestic Messi Gets Five in Demolition Job
March 8th, 2012Messi made Champions League history on Wednesday, becoming the first player to score five in Europe’s premier tournament, as Barcelona trounced Bayer Leverkusen 7-1 on the night, 10-2 on aggregate. Substitute Cristian Tello chipped in with two goals, and Bellarabi added a spectacular late consolation goal for the visitors.
Barcelona began the encounter in the knowledge that they were practically through, but perhaps given the prestige of the tournament and Bayer Leverkusen’s upsurge of domestic form, Guardiola knew that any complacency would be dangerous and fielded the strongest team available.
As has been the case of late, Barça settled very quickly and went about putting the opposition under pressure with long spells of possession and diligent pressing. The approach began to reap its rewards, with the first chance of the match arriving in the 10th minute. Cesc released Messi with a delicate ball over the top. Messi brought it down, and when his near-post effort was saved by Leno, Pedro followed up with a shot that was blocked on the line by Castro.
The pressure was soon overwhelming, and when Leverkusen tried to push up the pitch Xavi released Messi from the halfway line. Messi surged forward and nonchalantly flicked the ball over Leno to open the scoring.
Leverkusen now had no choice but to attack and this plenty of space for Barcelona to counter. And it was such a move that they doubled the score. This time Iniesta switched the play to Messi, who was lurking on the right angle of the area. The Argentine forward drove into the box on one of his diagonal runs, beating three players before nonchalantly tucking the ball into the bottom-left corner.
The momentum carried over into the second half – Cesc spotted Messi with another fantastic through-pass, and as the forward strode on, the covering Leverkusen defender attempted to force him wide. Still, Messi kept his composure and produced a sublime right-footed lob to claim his hat-trick.
With the tie now dead and buried, Guardiola withdrew Iniesta for young winger Cristian Tello, who enhanced his reputation with almost his first touch, finding the bottom-right corner after being put through down the left by Cesc.
On the hour mark, Messi initiated a one-two – the return pass into the are was cut out by Leno, but when the ‘keeper spilled the ball Messi was on hand to grab his fourth of the night and take the score to five nil.
Barcelona were not done there though – the home team continued to come forward. A few minutes after Leno’s error Alves rushed down the right flank and cut inside to find Tello in space on the left side of the area. The winger’s finish was a little less polished this time, but still resulted in a goal.
As the game appeared to be petering out, Messi made history with his fifth, collecting the ball on the edge of the area from Keita and rolling it into the bottom-left corner.
Confident Barcelona Clinch Win in Germany
February 15th, 2012Barcelona took an important step towards the next round of the Champions League on Tuesday night, triumphing 3-1 at the BayArena. Alexis Sánchez provided the first two goals with two clinical finishes, and Messi followed up with a crucial clincher in the final minutes.
The opening half was a turgid, tactical affair. Barcelona completely dominated possession but were faced with a relatively timid opponent, who sat deep and narrow and blocked all avenues to goal.
Chances were few and far between. There was a sniff of an opening in the 13th minute, when Alexis broke free down the right and tried to find Messi with a cross, but Schwaab intercepted the pass on the stretch just in front of the Argentine.
Dani Alves sent a long range free-kick just over a little later, but after that the game descended into a stalemate, with Barcelona laboring on a pitch with long grass that looked a little untended.
But just before half-time and almost out of nowhere, Barcelona got a goal. Bayer Leverkusen tried to get up the pitch on a rare counter-attack, but abandoned their left flank. So when the ball fell to Messi, he produced a fantastic pass with the outside of his boot to release Alexis. The Chilean’s finish was perfect, side-footing between Leno’s legs and into the bottom-left corner.
Perhaps unsurprising given their slightly negative approach in the first half, Leverkusen were far more enterprising in the early minutes of the second period. The teams exchanged half-chances before the home side managed to equalise – right-back Corluka got to the byline and swung a cross in towards the back-post. Czech international Kadlec managed to get the jump on Puyol and headed into the top corner.
Barcelona’s response was almost immediate. Cesc found time and space in the middle and picked out Alexis with a sumptuous through-ball. The Chilean then advanced on Leno and jinked to the keeper’s right, before finishing into the empty net from a tight angle.
It was the cue for a very even spell – Barça were still finding openings, it’s just that the opposition were also proving a little more adventurous now. Renato Augusto was denied by a world-class save by Valdés, who pushed the striker’s low shot on the left-hand post. Valdés came to rescue a little late when he managed to gather Kiessling’s diving header.
Messi might have put the tie firmly in Barcelona’s hands when he produced a mesmerising piece of skill to evade two Leverkusen defenders on the right side of the area, but his shot was blocked by Leno and then bounced off his chest and onto the post.
But there was time to take a commanding lead back to Barcelona next month. Alves was spotted by Messi, who released the right-back with a deft pass. Alves was forced wide as he went forward, but kept his composure to cross for Messi, leaving the Argentine with an easy finish at the back post.
0-1 Alexis (min 41)
1-1 Kadlec (min 52)
1-2 Alexis (min 55)
1-3 Messi (min 88)
Barcelona’s Young Stars Breeze Past BATE
December 7th, 2011FC Barcelona triumphed 4-0 at the Camp Nou against Belarusian side BATE Borisov on Tuesday night, despite fielding a side composed mostly of young Barça B players. Midfielder Sergi Roberto opened the scoring in the first half, before Martín Montoya and two goals from Pedro completed a commanding performance.
With qualification and top spot firmly secured, Guardiola was able to offer a tantalising glimpse of Barcelona’s future, giving game time to highly rated young talents like Sergi Roberto, Martín Montaya and Rafinha, the brother of Thiago, who also started the match tonight. Meanwhile Isaac Cuenca continued his recent run in the first team and demonstrated throughout the evening that he has what it takes to hold his position down as the season wears on.
From the first whistle, Barça asserted control of this encounter – with just a couple of minutes on the clock Rafinha worked some space in the area and got a shot away, but BATE ‘keeper Gutor pushed it wide at the near post.
Rafinha was operating in Messi’s withdrawn forward position and looked very lively in the opening stages, also heading a Maxwell cross just over. The ever-improving Cuenca lashed a 25-yeard shot just wide, and also instigated a fine move that Sergi Roberto fired just wide.
At the other end Marc Bartra showed great presence of mind, flicking an awkward BATE cross over the head of an onrushing attacker.
Minutes later it was Sergi Roberto who would open the scoring – Thiago strode forward, and when his attempted pass to Pedro was cut out, Sergi was on hand to tuck the ball clinically into the bottom corner.
Martín Montoya, the right-back also had an impressive night, overlapping time and again to get into dangerous attacking positions. He might have had an assist in the first half, but went one better on the stroke of the hour, when he played a fabulous one-two with Isaac Cuenca before taking the ball in his stride a producing a calm finish into the roof of the net.
By now Barcelona were playing with supreme confidence and it was a joy to watch, especially against what should be considered relatively seasoned opposition. The move of the night came a matter of minutes after the second goal. After a delightful passage of pass and move, Cuenca got possession at the byline and cut the ball back for Pedro, who finished first time through Gutor’s legs.
Isaac Cuenca was pulling the strings for his tea, and BATE had no answer. With ten minutes to go he picked up the ball from just outside the area and smashed a shot that clipped the corner of the post. And it would be Cuenca who played a role in the final goal of the night as well. In the closing staged he drew a foul from BATE midfielder Volodko, and Pedro sent the ‘keeper the wrong way from the penalty spot to add extra gloss to an impressive night’s work.
1-0 Sergi Roberto (min 34)
2-0 Montoya (min 58)
3-0 Pedro (min 61)
4-9 Pedro (min 86)
Barcelona Overcome Milan in Pulsating Battle
November 24th, 2011FC Barcelona qualified top of Group H on Wednesday night, beating Milan 3-2 in an entertaining encounter at the San Siro. There was a thrilling mix of skill and controversy; Barça’s goals game through a van Bommel own goal, Messi and Xavi after a fine team move. Milan equalized twice, with Ibrahimovic and Boateng grabbing two well-worked goals.
Although Milan and Barcelona had already achieved qualification for the second round, first place, and with it the prospect of an easier knockout opponent, was still up for grabs. Both clubs fielded competitive teams, with a host of stars lining up at kick-off. Messi, Xavi, Villa, Cesc and Puyol were present for Barça, while Swedish striker Ibrahimovic started for Milan against his former club.
After an even opening few minutes, Barcelona took the lead through an own goal by Dutch veteran Mark van Bommel; Keita got free down the left side of the area and produced a low cross that wrong-footed a number of Milan players, including their midfielder who turned it into his net under pressure from Xavi.
Barcelona were nearly two-up seconds later, when Thiago showed quick feet and quick thinking to flick the ball past the backline for Cesc Fábregas, whose volley was straight at Abbiati.
After this let off Milan started to find their feet. First Robinho somehow contrived to turn a Boateng cross over the bar, and then Seedorf trapped a long pass on the left angle of the area. He then pushed the ball through for Ibrahimovic who scored with a low first-time shot.
But the momentum was soon back with the away team. Messi was denied at close range, and some flowing Barcelona moves were ended only by last-ditch tackles. Then, on the half-hour mark, Alberto Aquilani was adjudged to have hauled down Lionel Messi – much to the home team’s dismay. After lengthy protestations by Milan, the Argentine forward stepped up to take his kick. His first effort was chalked off thanks to its stuttering run-up, but the second was legitimate, and was tucked into the bottom right corner.
In the final minutes of the half Abbiati made important saves from both Messi and Villa to preserve a score-line that perhaps flattered the hosts.
The second period was an altogether more subdued affair, but was lit up by moments of sublime skill. On an individual level, Boateng’s 53rd minute equalizer was something to behold; Mascherano half-cleared a deep cross for Ibra, and the ball fell to AC Milan’s German talent – he trapped the ball first time and flicked the ball past Abidal with his heel before slamming home at Valdes’ near post.
In no mood to be outdone, Barcelona reclaimed the lead on the hour-mark through a fabulous team goal. At the end of it Messi produced a forensic through-pass, evading four Milan defenders, which finished with expert precision by Xavi. Later, Abbiati made two point-blank saves to keep substitiute Alexis at bay, but Barcelona were more than comfortable.
0-1 Van Bommel (min 13)
1-1 Ibrahimovic (min 19)
1-2 Messi (min 30)
2-2 Boateng (min 55)
2-3 Xavi (min 64)
Messi Makes History Again
November 2nd, 2011FC Barcelona made light work of Czech side Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League on Tuesday, winning 4-0 away. Lionel Messi notched a fabulous hat-trick on the night he reached the 200 goal landmark, and was joined on the score-sheet by Cesc Fàbregas.
The lineup was remarkable for the inclusion of Messi, Cesc and Piqué, who were starting in their first competitive game together since their days at La Masia more than eight years ago. Puyol partnered Piqué in central defence, and Isaac Cuenca continued his run in the team, starting on the right wing. Elsewhere Thiago and Cesc stood in for Iniesta and Xavi, both recuperating from minor injuries.
Against motivated opposition at the Struncovy Savy Stadion, Barcelona needed their customary few minutes to settle, and it was the home side that had the best of the early chances. Firstly Petrzela somehow managed to break free into a one-on-one situation with Valdés, but Barça’s ‘keeper was equal to the task, getting down quickly to his left. Moments later Kolar found himself unmarked in the area, but skied his shot, much to the relief of the Barcelona defence.
Cesc was denied what appeared to be a clear-cut penalty, when he turned in the box, but seemed to be brought down by a clumsy Jiracek tackle. Twenty minutes in, Barcelona were hitting their stride; Cesc had a powerful mid-range effort pushed away, and then Lionel Messi jinked into the area and was fouled when he nimbly cut inside defender Marian Cisovsky. Referee Robert Schöfgenhofer saw it as a goalscoring opportunity and somewhat harshly sent the Slovak defender off.
The Argentine was clinical from the penalty spot, finding the bottom left corner to claim his 200th goal for the club. He was on the scoresheet again in the closing minutes of the half when he bustled forward, played a one-two with Adriano and tucked the return ball past Pavlik from six yards.
Straight after the break Messi and Cesc combined, with the latter almost sealing a wonderful team goal when he clipped the ball over the onrushing Pavlik, but his effort just missed the far post. Messi then saw a fine 25-yard free kick saved on the stretch by Pzlen’s goalkeeper.
Pzlen then went close, when Petrzela smashed a half-volley into the side-netting for the home side’s last real chance of the night. Isaac Cuenca started to shine for Barcelona, first working some space at the byline with excellent close control. A few minutes later he worked himself free and curled a perfect cross for Cesc to head home to take the score to 3-0.
Alexis Sánchez made a long-awaited return from injury with three minutes to go, and almost capped his comeback with a goal when Messi put him through in a narrow position on the right. Then, in the dying embers of the game, Barcelona’s inspirational Argentine grabbed his hat-trick, rounding the keeper and slotting home after Piqué had released him with a smart backheel.
0-1, Messi (min 22, pen)
0-2, Messi (min 45+1)
0-3, Cesc (min 71)
0-4, Messi (min 90+2)
Villa and Iniesta Dispatch Awkward Czechs
October 20th, 2011FC Barcelona triumphed 2-0 at home to Viktoria Plzen on Wednesday, having created a plethora of chances. Iniesta grabbed a sublime first goal after just ten minutes, but despite overrunning their opponents Barça had to wait for 70 more minutes before they could rest easy.
Guardiola selected what was last season’s first choice front six, with Iniesta and Xavi anchored by Busquets, and Messi offered the freedom of a withdrawn forward role flanked by Villa and Pedro. Plzen lined up with a 4-4-2 and a team composed entirely of Czech and Slovak players boasting few names that Barcelona fans would recognise.
After drawing against AC Milan Barcelona were in search of a first home win in Europe this season and started the match aggressively; Pedro and Alves both had fine chances after lightning quick one-touch passing moves from the left and then right. Then after ten minutes an almost identical attack involving Messi and Iniesta found the Spanish midfielder in an inside-right position in the area – he flicked the bouncing ball from his right foot to left, confounding his marker, before driving a shot into the bottom right corner to cap a magnificent piece of skill.
Plzen were in real trouble, and Barcelona’s high pressing ensured that they were unable to build attacks, with much of the first 30 minutes played exclusively in the away team’s half. And the chances came thick and fast for Barça; Pedro found room in the area on three occasions but was let down by a lack of composure and some desperate last-ditch Plzen defending. David Villa curled a shot wide and Messi hit the side-netting after he brought down a delicate looped pass by Busquets.
After half an hour the Czechs enjoyed their first spell of possession, but despite pushing Barcelona back were unable to muster a chance of note. And at the final whistle Messi offered a reminder of his threat when he curled a 25-yard free-kick onto the crossbar.
The chances continued to flow for Barcelona after the break, and it was Lionel Messi who took the spotlight. The Argentine forward embarked on two slaloming runs that would have resulted in goal of the season contenders had he managed to finish them off. For the first he worked his way past three defenders before being denied at the near post by Marek Cech in the Plzen goal.
Just minutes later he was at it again, leaving more defenders on their backsides only to see his effort bounce out off the near post and out for a goal kick. Messi’s next attempt had a hint of over-elaboration about it, as he controlled an incisive Villa pass and clipped the ball over Cech with supreme nonchalance, only to be tackled on the line.
The second goal finally arrived in the 81st minute when Messi was tackled in the area, only for the ball to drop at the feet of David Villa who made no mistake from 15 yards.
1-0 Iniesta (min 10)
2-0 Villa (min 81)
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