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It’s easy, as soccer fans, to always focus on the amazing goals or the incredible last-ditch saves. But sometimes it’s a pass that stands out. On Saturday, this Lionel Messi assist vs Osasuna ripped apart the defense and was better than any goal scored in some time.
Messi’s magical left foot can do it all. Usually we watch it ripping a gorgeous curler or dancing around defenders. So today let’s appreciate the Argentine’s marvelous passing ability as Barcelona beat Osasuna 2-0 on Saturday.
Lionel Messi Assist vs Osasuna
About half an hour into a match without a breakthrough, Messi was doing his usual jaunt around midfield, looking for some way to create a moment of brilliance. He found it in the form of a streaking Jordi Alba, darting behind the Osasuna defense.
Messi spotted the run out of the corner of his eye and picked the perfect timing, weight and placement to find Alba right in stride.
Alba still had plenty to do, but his hammer-blow shot was set up by just one touch because of the impeccable pass from Messi, inducing Ray Hudson to begin his customary squeal.
Magnificent.
Unlike a shot, which can just be blasted as hard as humanly possible so long as it goes into the goal, a pass must be played with more precision — not too hard, not too soft. This Messi assist vs Osasuna was pure perfection.
Earlier in the match, it looked like Barcelona would be gifted a Saturday stroll. Messi raced in behind the defense and forced a handball outside of the box from Osasuna keeper Sergio Herrera, which drew a straight red card. However, VAR confirmed Messi was offside and the red card was rescinded. Barça would have to earn its win the hard way.
Indeed, Osasuna will think it was unfortunate not to score. Los Rojillos tested Marc-André ter Stegen throughout the match and struck the post, keeping the Barcelona defense on its heels.
American Sergiño Dest started again in a right wingback role and found much more success than he did Wednesday against Sevilla’s Marcos Acuña. He shifted to right back after some substitutions later in the match and had a solid if unspectacular 90-minute performance.
Ultimately, it was another Messi assist vs Osasuna that finished off the match. This time, it wasn’t so much the pass as the shot from 18-year-old Ilaix Moriba.
Gooooooolazo de Ilaix, goooool del @FCBarcelona_es, un disparo impecable del canterano para el segundo ante Osasuna pic.twitter.com/YJK3UwOqbc
— beIN SPORTS Español (@ESbeINSPORTS) March 6, 2021
If only this had gone in earlier in the match, Messi would have had a hat trick of assists.
@RayHudson can't believe that Messi pass #OsasunaBarca pic.twitter.com/hERXW4cSnw
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) March 6, 2021
Nonetheless, it was a stellar day of passing for Messi’s left foot, and three more points in LaLiga for Barcelona. With the Madrid rivals facing off on Sunday, the Blaugrana are sure to make up ground on at least one of their closest rivals.
