MESS’D UP Leo ends drought ...by hitting FOUR
LIONEL MESSI ended his longest La Liga goal drought in six years in spectacular fashion – by scoring four goals in Barcelona’s drubbing of Eibar.
The Argentine genius hadn’t scored in his past four league appearances for the defending Spanish champions going into yesterday’s match.
But he responded to this unusual state of affairs in emphatic style.
Even during his dry spell Messi had been driving most of what Barca were doing best going forward, providing half a dozen ‘assists’.
Messi grabbed his first goal after 15 minutes, assisted by
Ivan Rakitic. And two goals in three minutes later in the half guaranteed that the Argentine would be taking home the match ball.
Arturo Vidal sent the forward into the box to once again shrug off his markers and bury the second.
Messi was at it again when
Barcelona 5 Eibar 0
Antoine Griezmann set him up for a simple hat-trick finish.
Messi got his fourth with a left-foot effort inside the six-yard box, turning in a cross by new Barca signing Martin Braithwaite.
The Dane, a controversial out-of-window arrival, played his part in Arthur’s fifth.
■ PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN boss Thomas Tuchel was not impressed by a video of his players at a party two days after their Champions League last-16 first-leg loss at Borussia Dortmund.
Neymar (left) and Kylian Mbappe were among those celebrating birthdays for Mauro Icardi, Edinson Cavani and Angel Di Maria and Tuchel said: “I was really surprised yesterday afternoon to see that video. Really surprised.”