By Daily Sports on March 14, 2019

Lionel Messi scored twice and set up two more as Barcelona reached the Champions League quarter-finals for a record 12th consecutive year with a last-16 win over Lyon.

Treble-chasing Barca, who drew 0-0 in the first leg, led when Messi chipped home a penalty.

Philippe Coutinho tapped into an empty net from Luis Suarez’s unselfish pass before Lucas Tousart’s volley gave Lyon hope.

Messi clinched the game with a run and finish before assisting late strikes from Gerard Pique and Ousmane Dembele.

Barcelona will discover their quarter-final and potential semi-final opponents on Friday at 11:00 GMT.

Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Juventus, Ajax and Porto are their potential rivals.

The night after his old rival Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick to help Juventus knockout Atletico Madrid, captain Messi put in a sensational performance of his own as Barca joined the last eight.

He was sublime right from the start as he had a shot saved in the fourth minute after a good Barca move.

He opened the scoring with a cheeky Panenka-style penalty after Jason Denayer clipped Suarez in the box.

Barca looked in control when their two former Liverpool players linked up for a second goal, Coutinho – who was booed by his own fans in Saturday’s win over Rayo Vallecano – tapping home from Suarez’s pass.

At that stage the La Liga leaders looked in control, but Tousart gave them a fright when he volleyed home after Sergio Busquets’ poor headed clearance.

But Messi stepped up when his team needed him, running 30 yards and stepping inside two defenders – including sending Marcelo to the ground – before firing past substitute keeper Mathieu Gorgelin, who should have done better.

It was the 31st time he has scored at least two goals in a Champions League game. The Argentine is this season’s joint top scorer on eight with eliminated Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski. (BBC)

•Photo shows Lionel Messi on the mark againts Lyon on Wednesday night

Source Daily Sports

Posted March 14, 2019

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