Lionel Messi-inspired Barcelona extend winning league run to seven games

Barcelona prolonged their profitable run in La Liga to seven video games as Lionel Messi and Francisco Trincao each bagged a brace in a 5-1 residence victory over Alaves.

Ronald Koeman handed Trincao his first league begin of the season after scoring the profitable purpose off the bench towards Actual Betis the earlier weekend, whereas 18-year-old Ilaix Moriba additionally made his debut.

The hosts began effectively and took the lead simply earlier than the half hour mark when Trincao scored his second purpose in per week, sweeping residence a low end after being arrange by Ilaix inside the realm.

Barca regarded to have doubled their benefit when Messi transformed a rebound from an Antoine Griezmann probability just for VAR for use to identify a marginal offside from the French ahead.

Messi did, nevertheless, discover the web on the stroke of half time with a trademark whipped, left-footed end from exterior the field that struck the within of the close to put up and gave Dani Pacheco no probability.

Alaves gave themselves a lifeline simply earlier than the hour mark, benefiting from a free go from Ilaix to race by way of the centre of the Barcelona defence, with substitute Luis Rioja tucking a low shot previous Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

The fightback didn’t final lengthy, although, as two targets in two minutes, first from Trincao after which from Messi, noticed Barcelona take a agency grip of the match once more.

Riqui Puig, Griezmann and Messi have been concerned within the construct as much as Barca’s fifth purpose, scored by Junior Firpo, because the Catalans secured the factors wanted to maneuver them again as much as second place in La Liga, eight factors behind pace-setters Atletico Madrid.

This season has been a troublesome one for Barcelona. The Catalans have struggled for consistency all through the marketing campaign and are perceived by many to have been out of the title race since earlier than Christmas. However one space the place Koeman has succeeded is within the re-establishment of the hyperlink between the Barcelona first crew and the famed La Masia academy. This match noticed the Catalans begin with 5 academy merchandise, with Ilaix handed his full debut. Barcelona wanted younger expertise and Koeman has performed his half to combine it.

Messi supplied the spotlight of the entire match with a trademark end off the within of the put up proper on the finish of the primary half. The Argentine had discovered the again of the web simply moments earlier than just for VAR to chalk it off after which repeated the trick with the same type of purpose within the second half. Messi was Barcelona’s primary hazard man, as is sort of at all times the case, and he may have completed this match with greater than two video games to point out for what was an excellent efficiency. This was classic Messi.

Barcelona – Ter Stegen 7, Mingueza 8, De Jong 6, Lenglet 5, Junior 7, Puig 6, Busquets 7, Moriba 7, Trincao 8, Messi 9, Griezmann 8. Subs – Umtiti 5, Pjanic 5, Dest 5, Dembele 4, Pedri 7.

Alaves – Pacheco 8, Martin 6, Lejeune 5, Tachi 5, Duarte 5, Edgar 6, Battaglia 6, Pina 5, Cordoba 4, Perez 7, Joselu 5. Subs – Deyverson 3, Laguardia 5, Pons 4, Rioja 7, Sainz 5.

29’ GOAL! Barcelona 1-0 Alaves: Trincao has scored his second purpose in per week! Mingueza’s cross from the proper brought on a difficulty for Alaves. Ilaix managed on the again put up after which arrange Trincao for the shot and the Portuguese ahead discovered the again of the web!

39’ GOAL RULED OUT! The officers have regarded on the tape and have determined that there was an offside in there towards Griezmann, though the replays aren’t precisely clear on the place that offside was. Messi’s purpose doesn’t stand.

45+1’ GOAL! Barcelona 2-0 Alaves: That was classic Messi! What a purpose that was! The 33-year-old reduce inside on to his left foot, lined up the hassle after which fired a low strike into the again of the web off the within of the close to put up! Pacheco could not do something about that! Wow!

58’ GOAL! Barcelona 2-1 Alaves: A lifeline for Alaves on this match! Ilaix gave up the ball and that allowed Rioja to race by way of the centre of the Barcelona defence and discover the again of the web with a peaceful and composed low end previous ter Stegen. That was far too simple!

74’ GOAL! Barcelona 3-1 Alaves: Trincao has his second purpose of the night time and Barcelona certainly have the factors within the bag now! Messi was launched by way of, Pacheco makes the save, however Trincao was readily available to complete into the again of the empty internet! Recreation over.

75’ GOAL! Barcelona 4-1 Alaves: Two targets in two minutes! And it is one other basic Messi second! Mingueza fed the go to the Argentine who reduce inside on to his left foot and curled a strike into the again of the web from simply over 20 yards out! Recreation undoubtedly over now!

At 18 years and 25 days outdated, Ilaix Moriba grew to become the youngest participant to register an help on his full La Liga debut for Barcelona.

Francisco Trincao has now scored in back-to-back La Liga appearances for Barcelona.

Barcelona have now received seven straight video games in La Liga.