'Massive result',Messi is football in its purest form'-fans react to Barcelona's 3-1 victory against Athletic club

Barcelona bounced back from a disappointing draw against Villarreal  by securing their place in the quarter finals of the Copa del Rey in a dominant victory against Athletic Club at the Camp nou.

FC Barcelona 3-1 Athletic Club (4-3 on aggregate)

The Blaugrana had not won in their last three fixtures since the beginning of the year 2017 but put that sarcastic statistic  to bed by producing a sensational night display courtesy of goals from undisputed attacking trio- Suárez, Neymar and Messi.

 Contradictory as it may sound, the game got off to a lively but uneventful start. There was plenty of movement from both sides, but little in the way of real chances. Barça were regularly getting the ball into the opposing area but without making the final connection, while Ernesto Valderde was well aware that it would be a very dangerous tactic for Athletic to sit back on their slender lead.

Key decisions were not going Barça’s way. Even when they did find the net after 27 minutes, after Iniesta picked out Neymar, who set up Luis Suárez to finish off the move, the goal was disallowed because the match officials had spotted an offside along the way. An offside that was nowhere to be seen in any action replays.

But there was no doubt eight minutes later when Suárez found the net for the second time. Neymar was again the provider and the Uruguayan’s volley was one for the end-of-season highlights reel. His 100th goal for the club and also one of the best. Barça led 1-0 and as things stood, were through to the quarter finals.
 
Barça quickly threatened to build on that lead but the second goal would have to wait until after the break. The action had barely restarted when Bóveda brought down Neymar and didn’t even bother arguing with the referee’s decision. The Brazilian himself took the penalty to bring an end to his personal goal drought. It looked like Barça were cruising.
But almost straight from the restart, Athletic pulled one back. Elustondo popped in the cross and Saborit headed home. Barça still led on the night, but on aggregate the teams were now locked and Athletic’s away goal spelled a much nervier mood in the Camp Nou.

 

Those nerves would not be calmed until the 77th minute. Suárez was brought down on the edge of the area, and the way Messi has been taking free kicks of late, that was always going to mean trouble for Athletic stopper Gorka. Too right it did. Free kicks that bounce in off the post are as unstoppable as free kicks get. 3-1 and Barça were back in command.

The Camp Nou was now buzzing. As Neymar struck the ball onto the post, then went on a whirling run through the entire Basque defence, it hardly seemed to matter that Athletic were still only a goal away from qualification. This game was won.

And so the 180 minute rollercoaster ride of cup football drew to a close. Commiserations to Athletic, who as ever put up a fine battle and can return to Bilbao with their heads held high. But when this game was over there were only two words left to say …força   CULLED FROM https://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/

HERE ARE ALL THE BEST REACTIONS FROM SOCIAL MEDIA THROUGHOUT THE GAME

Biggest thing was Barça playing with joy again. Play was fluid. And those long passes to negate the Athletic press were a brilliant call.

— Soci 101,978 (@kevvwill) January 11, 2017

Congratulations on scoring your 26th free kick goal @FCBarcelona tonight, Leo #Messi! One to go to break another record 😉 pic.twitter.com/eaoS5e1dR7

— Ronald Koeman (@RonaldKoeman) January 11, 2017

Messi's improvement when it comes to free-kicks is the best counter argument for those who say "he doesn't have to work hard, all talent"

— Josip (@jperkovic93) January 11, 2017

Messi is football in its purest form. There are no words to explain how thankful I am to be able to watch him play every week.

— Josip (@jperkovic93) January 11, 2017

Busquets was class bar few misplaced passes which usually doesn't happen to him. Always on the right place at the right time.

— Josip (@jperkovic93) January 11, 2017

Messi is the first player in the 21st century to score in each of Barcelona's first 3 games of a clendar year pic.twitter.com/iUIuGOUqVz

— adil (@Barca19stats) January 11, 2017

Imagine being a GK and facing a Messi freekick. You would have absolutely no idea what he'd do.

— Jen Evelyn (@JenFCB) January 11, 2017

Leo doesn't have a massive PR team behind him, he doesn't have Florentino, Spain, no Mendes. He has that ball at his feet.

— DOUBLETREBLE WINNERS (@messileftfoot) January 11, 2017

Imagine being a GK and facing a Messi freekick. You would have absolutely no idea what he'd do.

— Jen Evelyn (@JenFCB) January 11, 2017

Lionel Messi has scored 3 freekicks back to back to back. How people still find comparisons is ridiculous. The Greatest Ever.

— Alex (@Ixiesta) January 11, 2017