Messi shines as Barca lifts Copa del Rey trophy

Lionel Messi’s sensational double helped Barcelona thrash Athletic Bilbao 4-0 in Saturday’s Copa del Rey final, giving Ronald Koeman his first trophy since taking charge of the club.

Messi scored twice after Antoine Griezmann had opened the scoring on the hour mark, before Frenkie de Jong headed in a second goal three minutes later. 

Messi dealt a double blow to put the result beyond any doubt by the 72nd. The first of the Argentine’s two goals was a magnificent effort as the 33-year-old picked up the ball in his own half, travelled towards the penalty area, played two one-twos with teammates and then jinked inside a defender to finish into the far corner. 

It is Barcelona’s first trophy since winning the Spanish league in 2019. Koeman, a former Barcelona defender, returned to coach the club last summer after Barcelona finished last season without silverware for the first time since 2008. 

Barcelona have now won the Spanish cup a record 31 times, including four straight from 2015-2018. 

Bilbao have lost two Copa del Rey finals this month at La Cartuja Stadium in Seville. Bilbao lost 1-0 to Real Sociedad just two weeks ago when they met in the 2020 final that had been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.