Lionel Messi finally came to the fore in a game against Chelsea, leading Barcelona to the quarter-finals of the Champions after a 3-0 win over the Blues at Camp Nou yesterday.
The La Liga leaders came into the game with the painful exit in the 2012 semi-finals still looming large. On top of that they had not been able to get the better of the Londoners in their last eight meetings – including their 1-1 draw in the first leg where Antonio Conte’s tactics frustrated the Blaugranas.
Barca, however, didn’t face much frustration in this game as Messi opened the scoring in the third minute of the contest before Ousmane Dembele doubled their lead in 20th minute.
Chelsea, however, would take much heart from their performance as they consistently produced chances and the whole story could have been different if they had been more clinical when it comes to take their chances.
Also read: Chelsea News: Blues considering former player to replace Antonio Conte
The away side looked to create problems time and again. However, any hope of them progressing any further was snuffed out when Messi struck again in the 63rd minute to seal the deal.
While most in the Chelsea can certainly come back with their head held high after giving Barcelona a real fight – one man came in for a lot of flak.
Belgian shot stopper Thibaut Courtois – who has come under much speculation in recent times for not signing a new deal at Stamford Bridge was heavily criticised as he let both of Messi’s shot go between his legs. It was not the most inspiring performance from the Belgian international and he was thoroughly ridiculed on Social Media for the same.
If Messi nutmegs Courtois again then Courtois better give him his dinner money
— Team FA (@TeamFA) March 14, 2018
Chelsea reveal new kit for Courtois after facing Messi tonight. pic.twitter.com/kdpmCTszun
— Leo Messi (@messi10stats) March 14, 2018
It's fair to say neither Hazard nor Courtois have done much to justify being Real Madrid targets tonight #cfc
— Liam Twomey (@liam_twomey) March 14, 2018
Beautiful homage. #courtois #StephenHawking pic.twitter.com/CdxW98Toya
— Insónias em Carvão (@insoniascarvao) March 14, 2018
Thibaut Courtois will be ordering a pair of these on Amazon tonight pic.twitter.com/rA5i2m6fBI
— 101 Great Goals (@101greatgoals) March 14, 2018
2 NUTMEGS FROM ONE MAN! COURTOIS IS A BASKET! #BARCHE pic.twitter.com/quXoPuRNYz
— Omoniyi Israel (@omoissy) March 14, 2018
Whenever Courtois sees Messi with the ball… pic.twitter.com/0a8Cc1Z2Tw
— #WengerOUT (@ay_arsenal) March 14, 2018
Courtois has done everything he can tonight, to persuade Real Madrid to go back in for De Gea…
— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) March 14, 2018
If Messi nutmegs Courtois again he gets to keep him.
— Tom Williams (@tomwfootball) March 14, 2018