Brace Messi Bring Barca Gusur Sevilla From Position Three

Frenkie de Jong and Lionel Messi celebrate the goal against Elche (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Two goals scored by Lionel Messi brought Barcelona back to third place in the Spanish League standings after beating Elche 3-0 in the first week postponed match which took place at the Camp Nou Stadium, Wednesday local time.

One additional goal from Jordi Alba which completed the Las Blaugranas victory made Ronald Koeman's team now collect 50 points, displacing Sevilla, who collected 48 points from third.

Meanwhile, Elche (21), who has now played nine away games in a row, has not tasted victory, stuck in 18th place.

Launched Antara, despite appearing to be pressing since the start of the match, Barca had to settle for halftime with a goalless score because a number of their chances were countered by the visitors' defense.

In the 21st minute, for example, Trincao, who successfully crossed the obstacles of two Elche players in the opponent's penalty box, found his finishing shot saved by goalkeeper Edgar Badia's brilliant save.

Three minutes after the start of the second half, Messi was able to break the deadlock after beating Badia in a one-on-one situation successfully completing a one-two pass with Martin Braithwaite.

Braithwaite almost doubled Barca's lead in the 56th minute, but his volley was thwarted by Josema Sanchez, who got in front of Elche's goal.

In the 68th minute, Messi scored his second goal which could not be separated from Frenkie de Jong's brilliant action in passing three Elche players before releasing a mature pass.

PICHICHI 🐐 pic.twitter.com/ZBsJu48EyC

- FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_es) February 24, 2021

Teamwork was seen again five minutes later when Braithwaite chose to continue Messi's cross with a header for Alba to strike from close range, increasing Barcelona's lead to 3-0.

Antoine Griezmann has the chance to widen Barca's winning margin six minutes before halftime, unfortunately his finishing shot after beating Badia into the net against Elche's goal.

This weekend the two teams return to action when Barcelona travel to Sevilla headquarters on Saturday, February 27 and Elche head to Granada a day later.

Buena victoria, EQUIPO 💪💙❤ pic.twitter.com/x2Q8vWghQT

- FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_es) February 24, 2021