Lionel Messi scored twice to help Barcelona maintain their 100 per cent record in La Liga this season as they registered a comfortable win over Alaves.
Barcelona went into this game without the services of Neymar, Suarez and new signing Ousmane Dembele, and yet managed to come out on top, thanks to Lionel Messi. His goals helped them to a much-needed confidence boost victory at Alaves. Although he had a weak moment during a penalty, the Argentine superstar bounced back in time.
Despite the missed penalty, Messi regained his composure in the second half as he went on to score twice. In fact, the Barcelona front-man was nearly close to rounding off his performance with a hat-trick minutes after the second goal, but his shot cannoned off the bar.
The home side Alaves were very quite well-organised at the back and even had two great chances to take the lead. However, Barcelona triumphed in the end, as Messi made the difference with two well-taken goals. Like every other situation that includes Messi, Twitter exploded in a frenzy. THT takes a look at some of the best tweets:
Leo Messi career:
? 705 Games
⚽️ 568 Goals
? 281 Assists
? 30 Trophies
? 41 Hattricks
? 5 Ballons d'Or
? 4 Golden BootsGreatest ever ? pic.twitter.com/UOQdQLAtop
— Leo Messi (@messi10stats) August 26, 2017
Just 15 goals remaining for Messi to become the all time to-scorer of a single top level league. Müller holds the record: 365 goals.
— Rafael Hernández (@RafaelH117) August 26, 2017
Messi to Bartomeu after every match pic.twitter.com/olDb1AEc5B
— t (@iDembouz) August 26, 2017
Well done, Lionel Messi. Two goals at Alaves takes him over 350 in La Liga, the first player to do so in league history. ??? pic.twitter.com/C6lvVVOrHN
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 26, 2017
Messi opened his @LaLigaEN campaign and has now scored in 14 consecutive seasons. It was his 350th goal in La Liga. pic.twitter.com/YGVJ1FW07W
— David Kappel (@kappilinho) August 26, 2017
While many applauded him for his goals, several were quick to point out his deficiency when it comes to taking penalties.
Lionel Messi's penalty record in LaLiga since 2012/13:
32 taken ?
24 scored ⚽️
8 missed ❌#WeAreMessi[via @Squawka] pic.twitter.com/CGnmIux379
— Leo Messi ? (@WeAreMessi) August 26, 2017
A shame for Messi's penalty miss. Barca have been structurally very correct. Seri/Coutinho's effect on this team would be massive.
— Muy de Laportismo (@MoRosement) August 26, 2017
With that penalty miss, Messi is mentality more hungrier than ever to get over this, definitely ending this game with a goal or two. watch.
— NBK (@Saulability) August 26, 2017
Barca got an undeserved penalty and Messi still couldn't put it away
I LOVE THIS GAME
— adam (@FutboiAdam) August 26, 2017
Short Man Messi can't score a penalty without the assistance of Suarez
— Soldier↪ (@PatohShanqueels) August 26, 2017
Meanwhile, the fact that Ernesto Valverde did not hand a starting role to Nelson Semedo, did not sit well with some fans.
I'm starting to dislike Valverde, I don't understand why Semedo would get benched now like what's the reason for this stupid decision
— MascheranoStats (@MascheranoStats) August 26, 2017
No Semedo in the starting line-up.. Can't understand that. No need for rotation this early + international break next week. Weird..
— FCB News (@FCBNewsRoom) August 26, 2017
Why did Valverde play Paulinho and Rakitić? We have Roberto, who is a decent midfielder. Why not playing him?
Why not playing Semedo?— Pablito. (@FCBPablito) August 26, 2017
Semedo is definitely the best RB on the squad & Roberto fits more in the midfield where his full surging energy's vital. Btw Gomes should go
— Hillary (@Balatic) August 26, 2017
Vidal was playing as a right wing. He is not even as good as Roberto in RB position. Roberto and semedo are enough to cover our RB.
— Imtiaz (@Imtiaz7171) August 26, 2017
Dear Valverde,
1. Play Denis Suarez
2. Play Nelson SemedoThank you.
— Aна ?☕ (@presidentpiques) August 26, 2017
Aleix over Semedo.
Someone explain this travesty.
— Lucas R. (@lucasammr) August 26, 2017
Sergio Busquets also received a fair number of appreciative tweets as fans appeared to be particularly impressed by his performance.
Swear if Messi had someone like Busquets at Argentina, they would've won almost every big tournament.
— Josip (@jperkovic93) August 26, 2017
Enzo Zidane on. Time to get bossed by Busquets who is better than his dad
— Josip (@jperkovic93) August 26, 2017
End of the match thought:
We don't thank god enough for Busquets.— RAHUL (@LionelCruyff) August 26, 2017
Wonder why #sergiobusquets didn’t play as a CB tooo accurate with tackles #AlavesBarca
— STICKY EF BAIBI (@boi_lyk_sticky) August 26, 2017
I live for Sergio Busquets with 100% pass accuracy ???
— ♛|annaFCB|∞ (@campnouballgirl) August 26, 2017
Sergio Busquets Burgos… The octopus of Badia.. The first of his name, The last of his kind
— Peruzzi (@Datcapitan) August 26, 2017