Lionel Messi free kick magic sends Barcelona into Copa del Rey quarter-finals
Luis Enrique’s side beat Athletic Bilbao 3-1 to edge through 4-3 on aggregate on Wednesday, with Luis Suarez and Neymar also on target
Lionel Messi’s third goal from a free kick in as many games this year secured Barcelona’s place in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey as the holders beat Athletic Bilbao 3-1 to edge through 4-3 on aggregate on Wednesday.
Luis Suarez’s 100th Barcelona goal and Neymar’s penalty cancelled out Athletic’s 2-1 first leg lead, but Enric Saborit’s header six minutes into the second half had the tie headed for extra time.
However, just as in the first leg and in a 1-1 draw at Villarreal on Sunday, Messi rode to Barcelona’s rescue with another exquisite free kick that clipped the inside of the post on its way past Gorka Iraizoz.
“There is a reason why Messi is the best in the world,” Suarez told Barca TV. “He surprises you with something beautiful in every game.”
Watch: Lionel Messi’s free kick against Athletic Bilbao
Barcelona were under huge pressure to deliver their first win of the year as the slip-up at Villarreal left them five points adrift of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga, who also have a game in hand.