Categories
football Sports News

MESSI INSPIRES BARCELONA TO EMPHATIC VICTORY AGAINST NAPOLI, PROGRESSES TO LAST EIGHT.

Lionel Messi inspired Barcelona to a 3-1 Champions League win over Napoli that sets up a quarter-final tie with Bayern Munich.

Messi scored a fine solo goal and won a penalty in a virtuoso first-half display as Barca won the tie that started in February 4-2 on aggregate.

Clement Lenglet got them up and running with a 10th-minute header from a corner, although there did look a clear foul by the defender in the lead-up.

Messi then came to the fore with a typical moment of brilliance as he fought off three challenges, one of which saw him end up on the floor, before returning to his feet and finding the bottom corner.

After having another goal disallowed for a handball, the Argentinian then won a penalty after he was clattered by Kalidou Koulibaly and Luis Suarez converted in the 45th minute.

Insigne immediately replied for Napoli from the spot in first-half added time, but, despite a strong second-half push, they were left with too much to do.

Barcelona will now face Bayern Munich in a one leg tie quarter final.