For Madrid, playing catch-up again next weekend will be a particularly heavy psychological blow, especially given the series of off-field problems engulfing Barcelona in recent weeks. Messi quickly got to work, scoring a brilliant first goal in the 14th minute after collecting the ball centrally, around 30 yards out. The second came in the 37th minute as Sergio Busquets found Arturo Vidal, who feathered a flick into Messi’s path. His generosity was rewarded as a sloppy Griezmann touch meant the ball cannoned back to Messi, who apologetically poked in. He limped off and Madrid lost their way, finally punished with 11 minutes left by a straight ball through to Morales.

Source: The Express Tribune February 22, 2020 23:03 UTC