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Lionel Messi produced a uncommon show of jubilation on the pitch on Wednesday night time as Barcelona moved a step nearer to what might be the striker’s closing trophy on the membership, forgetting their off-pitch troubles with a dramatic win.
Regardless of taking an early lead by means of Messi’s strike companion, Ousmane Dembele, Barcelona appeared sure to be ousted from the Spanish Copa del Rey by Sevilla as the ultimate seconds of the match approached.
2-0 up from the primary leg, the Europa League winners regarded to have held on till Spain stalwart Gerard Pique leveled the tie within the 94th minute, hanging two minutes after Fernando had been despatched off for the guests to save lots of Barca followers from seeing extra pictures of Messi departing the pitch wanting crestfallen.
Messi had been outdoors the penalty space on the right-hand aspect because the last-gasp equalizer went in, and the icon was caught on digital camera repeatedly leaping into the air and waving his fist on the turf as he raced to have fun together with his teammates.
Barca duly made probably the most of their man benefit to take the lead within the tie by means of occasionally-maligned ahead Martin Braithwaite 5 minutes into extra-time, and there was a closing flourish of drama when Luuk de Jong was despatched off for Sevilla for protesting from the stands after he had been substituted.
Barcelona’s captain was on the heart of a throng of gamers dancing and grinning on the pitch after the victory, which had regarded unlikely on the demise earlier than Pique’s welcome intervention throughout one other torrid week for the membership.
Former president Josep Maria Bartomeu was reportedly arrested on Monday, and police raided the membership’s headquarters as a part of an investigation that’s considered specializing in the “Barcagate” scandal, which incorporates alleged makes an attempt to wreck Messi’s picture by means of an internet smear marketing campaign that the membership has at all times denied having any involvement in.
Athletic Bilbao or Levante await Barca in the ultimate of what seems to be like Messi’s greatest probability of profitable a trophy this season.
Presently degree on factors with arch-rivals Actual Madrid in second-place, Barca are within the hunt for the Liga title however stay 5 factors behind long-term leaders Atletico Madrid, who’ve a recreation in hand.
Solely a exceptional turnaround can hold Barca’s Champions League hopes alive once they journey to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, beginning the second leg of the spherical of 16 tie 4-1 down following their mauling by the hands of the French champions final month.
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