After a scoreless first leg that was defined by Luis Suarez not playing very well, the Uruguayan enjoyed a vital role in Barcelona’s 5-1 second-leg victory over Lyon at the Camp Nou on Wednesday. However, the man of the match was Lionel Messi, who scored two goals and added two assists to ease his side into the Champions League quarterfinals.
The first goal arrived in the 17th minute after Jason Denayer’s terribly timed slide tackle invited Suarez to take action. You can say that Denayer’s dumb challenge interfered with Suarez’s path to the ball, but you could also argue that Suarez wasn’t really interested in it and went out of his way to initiate contact with Denayer by stepping on him.
¡Penal para el Barcelona! ¿Qué dice el VAR? @FCBarcelona_es vs @OL (0-0) #LaChampionsUD
Disfruta el partido EN VIVO https://t.co/O99JxQTEw5 pic.twitter.com/lX4ThGUCyW— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) March 13, 2019
After a brief delay to allow the VAR to look, the call on the pitch (penalty) was confirmed and Messi stepped up to take it.
His finish was a slow-motion Panenka.
Ice in Messi's veins pic.twitter.com/gHaSG1k3q2
— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 13, 2019
Still, Suarez looked infinitely sharper than he’d looked in Lyon.
We see you, @LuisSuarez9 pic.twitter.com/e6PceZGXkC
— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 13, 2019
And the striker played a huge role in Barca’s second, coming in the 31st minute. A nice pass from Arthur found Suarez near the edge of the area, and the Uruguayan turned brilliantly before squaring for Phillipe Coutinho.
¡GOOOOOOOOOOOLLLL DEL BARCELONAAA! Medio gol es de Suárez y apareció Coutinho para mandarla al fondo de la red @FCBarcelona_es 2-0 @OL (2-0) #LaChampionsUD pic.twitter.com/u4Y9lFNQhu
— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) March 13, 2019
Messi himself had two efforts well-saved and another cleared off the line as Barcelona threatened to run with it, but Lyon shocked the Camp Nou with a goal in the 58th minute.
A game of head tennis in the box saw multiple Barca defenders hit the floor, and Lucas Tousart eventually applied a nice finish from 12 yards out.
¡GOOOOOOOLLLLLL! Lucas Tousart con el descuento. Falta confirmación del VAR.
Disfruta el partido EN VIVO https://t.co/O99JxQTEw5 pic.twitter.com/j0UXoAfBk6
— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) March 13, 2019
For 20 minutes, Barcelona stressed under the knowledge that another Lyon goal would knock them out of the competition. But then that man showed up again.
After receiving a pass from Sergio Busquets 40 yards from goal, Messi turned and ran at the defense. He turned two defenders inside out at the top of the box, and then he got enough on his shot to beat Mathieu Gorgelin in goal.
¡¡GOOOOOOOOOLLLLLL!! Claro que siiiiiii, no podía ser otro, La Pulga con un enganche deja en el camino a dos defensores y consigue su doblete. @FCBarcelona_es 3-1 @OL (3-1) #LaChampionsUD
Disfruta el partido EN VIVO https://t.co/O99JxQTEw5 pic.twitter.com/JgCXI7gc57— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) March 13, 2019
Three minutes later, Messi turned provider. The Argentine did the heavy work, running from the halfway line, and Gerard Pique was there to turn in his low pass.
¡¡GOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLAAAZOOOO!! Pique marca el cuarto tras una jugada genial de Messi. El defensa le gana la espalda a todos y remate con la arquería sola. @FCBarcelona_es 4-1 @OL (4-1) #LaChampionsUD
Disfruta el partido EN VIVO https://t.co/O99JxQTEw5 pic.twitter.com/ZublcqcjZA— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) March 13, 2019
With Lyon on tilt, Messi then set up Ousmane Dembele for Barca’s fifth in the 86th minute.
¡¡GOOOOOOOOOLLLLL Y ES LA MANITOOO!!. Otra asistencia de Messi y Dembélé la manda a guardar.@FCBarcelona_es 5-1 @OL (5-1) #LaChampionsUD
Disfruta el partido EN VIVO https://t.co/O99JxQTEw5 pic.twitter.com/R3fBjlPs9n— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) March 13, 2019
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