Barcelona 3-0 Elche: 5 talking points as Blaugrana return to winning ways courtesy Lionel Messi's brace | La Liga 2020-21

#3 Barcelona punish profligate Elche

FC Barcelona vs Elche CF- La Liga Santander

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.

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#2 Lionel Messi moves top of the season's goal-scoring charts

Lionel Messi scored a brace.

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.

After scoring a brace tonight, Messi is now the outright top scorer in #LaLigaSantander! 🔝🌟#YouHaveToLiveIt pic.twitter.com/rLZky566od

— LaLiga English (@LaLigaEN) February 24, 2021

Lionel Messi is emerging as the favourite to win his fifth-consecutive Pichichi Trophy and a record-extending eighth overall.

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#1 Lionel Messi hits form at just the right time for Barcelona

Lionel Messi (right)

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.

3 - Top three players from the top five European league with the most goals in 2021 in all comps:13 - LIONEL MESSI 🇦🇷12 - Robert Lewandowski 🇵🇱10 - Erling Braut Haaland 🇳🇴Update. https://t.co/eTiNVnrGGs

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) February 24, 2021

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.

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