VIDEO: Messi's brace helps Barcelona sink Villarreal

BeSoccer 3 years ago 920 |

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Messi scored a brace against Villarreal in 2010

In 2010, Barcelona shook off their midweek Champions League semi-final exit with a comfortable 4-1 win at Villarreal. A great performance by Xavi and a double from Messi ensured the Blaugranes remained in the driver’s seat in La Liga’s title race. And despite having to endure a nervous opening against Villarreal where they could have gone two goals down, Pep Guardiola’s troops sauntered to a comfortable win thanks to first half gems from Lionel Messi, Xavi and Bojan Krkic, before the Argentine struck again late in the game after the hosts had pulled one back through Joseba Llorente.

A throwback to a young Lionel Messi in his prime. He scored a brace against Villarreal more than a decade ago to keep Barcelona on top of the table in La Liga.

History repeated itself today as Barca scored four against Villarreal at the Camp Nou and Messi got himself on the scoresheet at the end of the first half. It was youngster Ansu Fati though who yet again followed in Messi's steps by scoring a brace against Villarreal.

The win calms nerves for a Barcelona side that had the most disruptive summer break in the recent history.

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