After over three weeks on the sidelines due to a groin injury, Lionel Messi made a triumphant return to football by scoring Barcelona’s fourth in their 4-0 victory over Deportivo La Coruna. The assist was fantastically provided by Neymar and the finish from Messi was emphatic.
It must’ve been an excruciating break from playing for Messi, watching Barcelona lose to Celta Vigo and then Argentina flounder in World Cup qualifying.
But Saturday was a romp for Barca, and Messi was allowed to start the match on the bench as a precaution. Barcelona jumped out to a 3-0 lead before the halftime whistle with two goals from Rafinha and one from Luis Suarez.
Messi entered the match in the 53rd minute. Three minutes later, he was on the scoresheet after finishing a beautifully disguised ball from Neymar.
Messi smashed his shot into the roof of the net, and Barcelona finished the match as 4-0 victors.
Barcelona were unable to make up any ground on leaders Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid after the teams from the capital went on the rampage themselves. Atletico hammered Granada 7-1 and Real defeated Betis 6-1.
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