Barcelona entered the match with only a one-goal advantage, but when it was over, there was nothing close about the two sides.
Lionel Messi and the Barcelona side ran Manchester United off the field in the second leg of their Champions League quarterfinal matchup, winning 3-0 (4-0 aggregate) thanks to goals from Lionel Messi (twice) and Philippe Coutinho.
The loss marks the end to Manchester United’s Champions League run, and United fans will have to take solace in the fact that they lost to the best player of all time playing out of his mind.
Messi was that brilliant. His first goal was as sublime as we’ve seen from him. He won the ball off Ashley Young, megged Fred, dribbled to create space and then perfectly slotted home a left footed blast from outside the box. It seemed routine for him, and would have been a career goal for anyone else.
See all the goals and highlights below:
Highlights
3′ – Manchester United have come out flying. Marcus Rashford found himself in on goal, and a toe poke caught the crossbar. I’m glad Rashford read my previous update from the first minute and got after trying to score. Good on you, Marcus.
11′ – PENALTY TO BARCELONA OVERTURNED BY VAR
A gorgeous ball over the top from Lionel Messi is chested down to the feet of Rakitic, who looks like he was beaten to the ball by Fred.
After video review, the call is correctly overturned. That was bizarre that the ref would even call it in the first place, but I guess if you have video review, you can do that.
16′ – GOAL MESSI. BARCELONA 1 – 0 MANCHESTER UNITED (2-0)
I mean, what are you supposed to do with that? What are you supposed to do with that?
Messi nutmegged the defender, beat the entire defense, and whipped in a low curling shot to give Barcelona the lead.
He’s the best ever. Full stop. We’re lucky to get to witness him. This is the greatest soccer player of all time just dunking on a Premier League power in the Champions League. That’s a career goal for most players and it’s like the third best goal he’s had this month. I’m stupefied.
20′ – GOAL MESSI. BARCELONA 2 – 0 MANCHESTER UNITED (3-0)
David Da Gea will be disappointed he couldn’t stop that one, but also, Lionel Messi is unstoppable and I respect Da Gea for understanding that.
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45+2′ – Messi gets the ball at midfield. Jones tries to wrap him up in an American football tackle, fails, Messi then dribbles him, megs him, plays a perfect through ball, and only a Da Gea face save prevents Barcelona from making it 3-0.
I’m just going to keep writing about how good Messi is. I don’t even care anymore.
He’s megged two guys in the Champions League quarterfinal. He’s playing a different game out there.
I mean, what are you supposed to do with this?
61′ – GOAL COUTINHO. BARCELONA 3-0 MANCHESTER UNITED (4-0)
Poor Manchester United. They didn’t sign up for this. Messi plays a beautiful ball over the top, it’s played down to Coutinho who takes a touch onto his right foot and then rockets a shot into the top corner. I will not blame you for flipping over to the Ajax-Juventus game.
