Messi Double Helps Barca See Off Elche
BARCELONA (Reuters) - Lionel Messi has scored twice as Barcelona overcame an uninspiring first half to beat Elche 3-0 at home in La Liga and keep leaders Atletico Madrid in their sights.
The Catalans created little in one of their worst first-half displays at the Camp Nou this season but found a breakthrough early in the second when Martin Braithwaite released Messi with a classy backheel and the Argentine did the rest.
Barca, who failed to hold onto a narrow lead in Sunday’s 1-1 draw at home to Cadiz, got an all-important second goal in the 69th when Frenkie de Jong received the ball after some clever play from 18-year-old Pedri.
The Catalans created little in one of their worst first-half displays at the Camp Nou this season but found a breakthrough early in the second when Martin Braithwaite released Messi with a classy backheel and the Argentine did the rest.
Barca, who failed to hold onto a narrow lead in Sunday’s 1-1 draw at home to Cadiz, got an all-important second goal in the 69th when Frenkie de Jong received the ball after some clever play from 18-year-old Pedri.