Messi shines at Nou Camp anniversary (2-1)

Messi shines at Nou Camp anniversary

Barca marked the 50th anniversary of the Nou Camp by beating Seville 2-1 tonight with two goals from Leo Messi, who again had the crowd on their feet with a brilliant performance.
The Nou Camp enjoyed a convincing display from Barca on its 50th anniversary, though their superiority wasn’t rewarded with a score till the73rd minute when man of the match Leo Messi volleyed home from inside the box, before adding a second from the penalty spot four minutes later following a foul on Giovanni. Seville grabbed a consolation goal in injury time through Kanoute, but by then Messi had guaranteed the points for Barca. Messi sharp from the start Messi put down a marker right from the start, tormenting the Seville back line, as Barca put the pressure on early on with Iniesta playing in place of the injured Ronaldinho alongside Messi and Deco probing away to find a crack in the Seville defence. Barca also cut off any supply to the visitor’s front men by pressing in the midfield. Barca dominate It was, however, Seville who came closest, with virtually their only chance of the first half when Renato met a Dragutinovic cross at the near post, only for his header to hit the outside of the post. Barca weren’t put off their stride though and continued to dominate possession and territory. Touré Yaya brought out a fine save from Palop on 30 minutes with a long range shot and Deco also came close with a shot on 43, which went just wide of the post, but it was still goalless at the break. Barca up the pace Rijkaard’s men upped the pace even more at the start of the second half and Seville were forced into some heavy tackling that saw both Dragutinovic and Poulsen pick up yellow cards. The team’s speedy first touch passing and intricate triangles were getting them into the danger areas, but the end product just wasn’t coming easy. Henry hits woodwork again Màrquez came close with a header from a corner on 57 minutes, but his effort shaved the same post that Renato had in the first half. Then on 70 minutes, the Mexican set up Henry for a one on one with Palop. The Frenchman’s first touch control was excellent, but his effort was just deflected onto the post by the keeper – Henry’s third post in the league so far. Messi strikes Finally though, Barca got their just reward when Henry threaded a pass through to Messi who controlled the ball and then volleyed past Palop for the Nou Camp crowd to erupt in celebration. That wasn’t all Messi had to offer though and less than five minutes later he slotted home a penalty for his second after Giovanni had been dragged down at a corner by Poulson and it could have been a hat trick a few minutes later, when he rounded off a wonderful flowing move, only for Palop to beat away his effort. Consolation goal A bit of confusion in the Barca defence in injury time gave Kanoute his chance to cut the lead, but there was no tie left to threaten what was a well deserved win to mark the Nou Camp’s 50 years of spectacle.