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Barcelona returned to winning ways with a 3-0 win over struggling Elche in the 2020-21 La Liga.
Lionel Messi was the saviour for the Blaugrana once again, as he scored twice in the second half; Martin Braithwaite had a good game as well, bagging two assists.
Both sides made an enterprising start to the game, but the visitors would regret squandering an early chance when Lucas Boye blazed his effort over the woodwork.
In the 20th minute, Francisco Trincao missed a golden opportunity at the other end. He was brilliantly denied by Edgar Badia, who was moving the wrong way but stretched his other arm to palm away the shot.
Barcelona, in particular, struggled to break into the Elche box. The visitors were made to wait till the 43rd minute for their first shot on goal but the danger was comfortably averted by Marc Andre Ter Stegen.
Messi then delivered the opener, finding the back of the net just two minutes after the break. He linked up wonderfully with Brathwaite to beat Badia from close range.
The visitors responded almost instantly, but Boye messed up a first-time effort after a rare break. Thereafter, it was one-way traffic as Barcelona piled on the pressure.
Messi bagged his second of the night after converting Frenkie de Jong's pass. Five minutes later, Jordi Alba put the result beyond doubt for Barcelona by adding a third from close range. Messi set up Braithwaite, who headed the ball across to an unmarked Alba.
Despite the win, Barcelona remain third in the league standings, five points behind league leaders Atletico Madrid, having played a game more.
On that note, let's take a look at the five talking points from the game.
#5 Elche defensive approach against Barcelona backfires
Barcelona were frustrated by Elche in the first half, as the visitors' gritty defence denied the Blaugrana any goal-scoring opportunities.
Elche played a five-man defence for most of the game, as they went into half-time with the game goalless.
Edgar Badia was particularly in inspired form, denying Trincao twice from close range. However, after Barcelona opened the scoring in the second half, there was no looking back for the Blaugrana.
#4 Barcelona produce an improved second-half display
After a dull and soporific performance in the opening 45 minutes, Barcelona were in danger of a third disappointing result in a row at the Nou Camp.
Barcelona struggled to create chances in the first half and had nothing to show for bossing possession. However, things improved in the second half.
Messi led from the front. Given a free role in the changed formation, the Barcelona captain ran at the Elche defence and scored a wonderful goal after a quick one-two with Braithwaite.
That goal opened the floodgates for the hosts, who added two more before the final whistle to return to winning ways.
Also Read: 10 highest-paid players in the La Liga this season.
#3 Barcelona punish profligate Elche
Elche started off strongly against Barcelona, firing a fizzing shot narrowly off target in the opening five minutes. The visitors appeared unfazed and looked to take the game to their more illustrious opponents.
To their credit, Elche defended very well in the first half but struggled going forward. The visitors squandered possession cheaply to Barcelona in the final third. Moreover, their wingers found themselves isolated on the flanks; when they found themselves in good positions, their wastefulness let the team down.
Of their six attempts on goal against Barcelona, only Pere Milla's effort was on target, but Ter Stegen was alert to the danger.
#2 Lionel Messi moves top of the season's goal-scoring charts
With a brace, Lionel Messi became the outright top scorer in the 2020-21 La Liga. He has 18 goals to his name this term, two more than his former teammate Luis Suarez.
The diminutive Argentinian has been in fine form in league fixtures after a slow start to the season; Messi has scored in his last three league outings, though his goals from the previous two fixtures came from the penalty spot.
Lionel Messi is emerging as the favourite to win his fifth-consecutive Pichichi Trophy and a record-extending eighth overall.
#1 Lionel Messi hits form at just the right time for Barcelona
Lionel Messi has had a wonderful start to 2021. As things stand now, he is the leading goal-scorer in the year across Europe's top five leagues.
The Barcelona captain has found the back of the net in his last four league games, with his double against Elche being his second brace of the month.
Messi has been involved in 21 goals in the La Liga for Barcelona this season, scoring 18 and assisting three. That accounts for 40% of Barcelona's goal tally in the La Liga this campaign. With 53 goals, Barcelona are the top-scorers in the 2020-21 La Liga.
The Argentinian's good form augurs well for Barcelona, who would be desperate to avoid consecutive trophyless campaigns and stop their talisman leaving for free in the summer.
Also Read: 10 players with the most fans.
