Barcelona : Following their Copa del Rey win, FC Barcelona focused on the La Liga title race with renewed gust as Lionel Messi scored twice as Barcelona crushed Getafe 5-2 on Friday (April 23).
Messi gave Barca an early lead courtesy a pin-point through ball from Sergio Busquets but Getafe pulled level with an own goal scored by Clement Lenglet. But the visitors gave in to the continuous pressure of attacks as they conceded a calamitous own goal when Sofian Chakla’s back pass deceived keeper David Soria and Catalans were again in the lead.
You can’t stop him, you can only hope to contain him. pic.twitter.com/LI5HesqWu2
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 23, 2021
Messi further extended Barca’s lead before half-time to move on to 25 La Liga goals this season and moved clear in the Pichichi race but the Catalans slowed their pace in the second half and Enes Unal made for an interesting finish by converting a penalty on 69 minutes following a VAR review for a foul by Ronald Araujo.
Although the Uruguayan defender made amends by heading in Messi’s corner on 87 minutes to extend Barca’s lead and Antoine Griezmann slammed in a penalty to score the 5th goal in added time after being handed the ball by Messi.
The win took Barca back up to third place on 68 points, five behind leaders Atletico Madrid but they have a game in hand. Getafe gave Ronald Koeman’s side a guard of honour for their recent Copa del Rey triumph but the visitors also wore T-shirts saying “Earn It”, this was a protest against Barcelona’s decision to sign up to the breakaway European Super League.
“The news had a big impact on me, any clubs want to compete in Europe and we want to earn it on the pitch,” said Getafe’s Angel Rodriguez.
“We’re a humble club who played in the Europa League so obviously I’m totally against it.”
After the match, Koeman said, “It’s true difficult moments [in the] second half. I think good result in the end. Very good first half, team very focused, a lot of chances, played well.
“Our rhythm on the ball was slower, it complicates things with the 3-2 and it’s unnecessary. But another show that when we dip, things can become concentrated.”
