Watch the reaction of Real Betis goalkeeper Pau Lopez’s reaction to Lionel Messi’s third goal of the game.
Barcelona were too hard for Real Betis as Ernesto Valverde’s side played scintillating football to beat them 4-1 at Benito Villamarin. Hat-trick from Lionel Messi and a second-half striker from Luis Suarez guaranteed them three points to go ten points clear ahead of Atletico Madrid who lost their tie to Atletic Bilbao during the weekend.
Cristiano Ronaldo is a specialist in penalties, Lionel Messi is the same for the freekicks. No debates. The Argentine International opened the scoring for the visitors through a free kick. Messi found the top corner to give no chance for Pau Lopez who was beaten for the first time.
Minutes before the half time whistle, Luis Suarez produced an excellent backheel to find Lionel Messi. That move to find Barcelona’s number 10 deceived the defenders in the box, leaving space for Messi to finish off his chance when he was one-v-one with the goalkeeper.
Luis Suarez made an excellent run from the middle, while Marc Bartra trying to intercept the Barcelona’s striker, failed miserably and felt down. The Uruguyuan showed such calmness in front of the goal to give an unassailable lead for the visitors.
Quique Setien’s side did pull back through their striker Loren Moron, but Barcelona were relentless in their offensive play. Lionel Messi carried the ball from the midfield and passed it to Jordi Alba.
The Spanish International passed the ball back, but Lionel Messi’s brilliant improvisation made everybody go mad inside the stadium. The Argentine International looped the ball over the defenders inside the box and goalkeeper to find the back of the net.
It will surely be considered for goal of the season. The audacity to beat the goalkeeper Pau Lopez was something else. Like everybody else, Pau Lopez was wondering if he was human or what.
REAL BETIS GOALKEEPER PAU LOPEZ REACTS TO LIONEL MESSI’S THIRD GOAL:
Here is the video of Real Betis goalkeeper Pau Lopez reacting to Lionel Messi’s third goal in the La Liga.
But, he was not the only one feeling that way.
The photos suggested Sergio Roberto, Luis Suarez, and Ivan Rakitic being blown away by that phenomenal goal from Lionel Messi on Sunday.
All four goals scored by FC Barcelona were unique and needed to be at their best to slot it past the goalkeeper. Pau Lopez, like every Real Betis player, will be feeling agonized because of the amount of hard work they put in to chase the game for most of the time.
The whole stadium gave a standing ovation and chanted ‘Messi, Messi’ which was unaccustomed. Barcelona’s Skipper said he has not witnessed anything similar in his experience before.
“No, I can’t remember that happening before. “I am grateful, we are always treated well when he play here.” said Messi in the post-match interview.
Ernesto Valverde was blown away by the performance of Lionel Messi against Real Betis. The Spaniard said that not many would receive the acknowledgment from the opponent fans in the post-match press conference “Leo’s match has been extraordinary. He scored three goals and could have scored a fourth.
“It’s evidence of the player he is. Despite the opposition being on the receiving end, we are all enjoying this era of his, which is unequaled. It’s significant that they cheer him; it’s an acknowledgment.”
Barcelona have been drawn against Manchester United in the Champions League Quarterfinals. Lionel Messi will be hoping to put in a similar kind of performance at Old Trafford but will be hopeful about the result to come in a positive way.
The Blaugrana are currently ten points above second-placed Atletico Madrid with 10 games to go. Ernesto Valverde’s side will lift the league title unless something dramatic happens.
