An initially frustrating outing ended in two goals for Lionel Messi and three points for Barcelona against Espanyol on Saturday.
2018/2019 La Liga
2-0
Match Reports
Blaugrana captain Messi had missed Argentina's midweek friendly with Morocco and revealed he has been managing a pelvic injury since December, but he was available for LaLiga action and typically netted both goals.
The forward carried Barca's chief threat as he moved past Andres Iniesta into second place on the club's all-time appearance list, yet he may not have broken the deadlock had Sanchez not foolishly directed a 71st-minute free-kick into his own net.
Player Ratings
Match Events
9' First chance for Barca! Messi's shot saved
Alba's excellent through-ball finds Messi running towards the goalline. The Argentine's in a tight spot but gets a shot away with some nifty footwork - luckily for the visitors it's blocked.
40' A horrible deflection almost gifts Messi a goal!
Rosales' block of a through-ball bobbles kindly to an offside Messi, who flashes a shot wide of Diego Lopez's left-hand post!
60' CHANCE! Malcom's shot saved
Espanyol are staying organised but Barca are ramping up the pressure. Malcom races down the inside-left and forces Diego Lopez to tip his shot wide! The corner leads to an Espanyol goal-kick.
71' GOAL! Barcelona 1-0 Espanyol (Messi)
That was delightful. Messi steps up and delicately floats a free-kick towards goal. Sanchez drops back onto the goalline but can't head it away. Simply divine.
88' GOAL! Barcelona 2-0 Espanyol (Messi)
Messi is just too good. Malcom picks up the ball wide left and cuts back for Messi, who arrows the ball low into the far corner. We'll miss him when he's gone.
Line-ups
Barcelona XI: L. Messi, L. Suárez, Piqué, I. Rakitić, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Philippe Coutinho, M. ter Stegen, Lenglet, Semedo, Arthur
Subs: Prince, Vidal, S.Roberto, S. Umtiti, Carles Aleñá, Malcom, Iñaki Peña
Espanyol XI: Diego López, Rosales, Granero, V.Sánchez, Naldo, Borja Iglesias, Hermoso, Lluís López, M.Roca, Adrià Pedrosa, Melendo
Subs: Roberto Jiménez, S.García, H.Pérez, Dídac , J.López, Wu Lei, Alfa Semedo