SEVILLE: Lionel Messi scored twice as Barcelona thrashed Athletic Bilbao 4-0 in Saturday`s Copa del Rey final to win the trophy for a record-extending thirty first time.
Antoine Griezmann put a dominant Barca forward on the hour when he turned in a cross from Frenkie de Jong, who then doubled the Catalans` lead three minutes later.
RAISE IT HIGH! pic.twitter.com/QqqeQ8aN9S
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 17, 2021
Messi obtained some tough tackles from Athletic however acquired his revenge with a spectacular purpose within the 68th, tearing his means via Athletic`s defence down the correct wing and mixing with De Jong earlier than dancing round one other defender to slot into the web.
#MESSI MVP!#MESSI MVP!#MESSI MVP! pic.twitter.com/XWKWpJQCpl
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 17, 2021
Barcelona’s captain struck once more 4 minutes later when he met a low cross from Jordi Alba and fired into the underside nook, his shot proving too highly effective for Athletic keeper Unai Simon.
There was a powerful sense of deja vu for Athletic, who’ve now misplaced 4 Copa del Rey finals to Barca since 2009, with Messi scoring every time.
The Basques have misplaced their final six appearances within the final and solely two weeks in the past had been overwhelmed 1-0 by Real Sociedad within the 2020 rescheduled showpiece, which was additionally performed at an empty La Cartuja stadium in Seville.
Barcelona had been hurting from final week’s 2-1 loss to Real Madrid however took the initiative with 79 per cent of possession within the first half and virtually went forward when De Jong struck the put up early within the recreation, with Messi later smashing a shot simply vast.
Athletic had overwhelmed Barca 2-1 after further time in January’s Spanish Super Cup final however confirmed little ambition right here and had just one try within the first half, when defender Inigo Martinez prodded simply vast of the close to put up following a free kick.
Athletic keeper Simon pulled off three spectacular saves in fast succession early within the first half, utilizing his left leg to thwart Griezmann after which Sergio Busquets from point-blank vary whereas additionally retaining out a pushed shot from Pedri.
Griezmann lastly acquired the higher of Simon to break the impasse and as soon as Barca had been forward they confirmed no mercy.
