Barcelona sustain European form with victory at Wembley
Barcelona have registered a 4-2 win over Tottenham
Barcelona produced a scintillating attacking performance, powered by Lionel Messi and the likes of Luis Suárez, to overcome the challenge of Tottenham, who took to their first game against Barça in 36 years without key players Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli.
The side took the lead in the 2nd minute itself, when Jordi Alba was through on goal after a defence-splitting pass from Lionel Messi. The pacy left-back cut it back for Philippe Coutinho, who placed the shot into the bottom left corner.
The lead was extended by an exquisite goal in the 28th minute. After a cross was chested down for Coutinho by Luis Suárez, the Brazilian attacker missed it but somehow pulled it back into the pitch, with Ivan Rakitić showing brilliant technique to half-volley it in off the post from outside the box.
Harry Kane got one back for Tottenham after Leo Messi hit the post a couple of times. He turned Nélson Semedo before using Gerard Piqué as a screen to bend it low past Marc-André ter Stegen in the 52nd minute.
But the two-goal lead was restored by Lionel Messi in the 56th minute. The Argentine maestro played Jordi Alba through, who cut it back into the box. Both Philippe Coutinho and Luis Suárez left it for Messi, who rolled the ball into the bottom left corner.
More from Everything Barca
- FC Barcelona tracking Belgian Wonderkid
- FC Barcelona vs Betis Player Ratings
- Barça boss Xavi to get contract extension
- FC Barcelona planning swoop for Arsenal midfielder
- Barcelona interested in €30 million wonderkid
Tottenham were lucky to reduce the lead back to a single goal. In the 66th minute, Erik Lamela found space on the edge of the box and his shot was deflected into the top right corner past the wrong-footed Ter Stegen. But in the end, Barça got the three points.
The match was finished off by Lionel Messi, who completed his brace in the 89th minute. Jordi Alba dispossessed Moussa Sissoko and passed it to Luis Suárez, who dummied it, leaving it for Messi to provide a simple finish.
Players like Clément Lenglet and Arthur did well throughout the game, but made some mistakes, some of which were decisive, most notably Lenglet losing possession leading to Kane’s goal. But overall, they performed well considering their lack of experience on the European stage.
Leo Messi was easily the best player on the pitch, but the likes of Gerard Piqué and Sergio Busquets were also very good. Apart from his goal, Philippe Coutinho was not involved much in attack, and preferred to stay back during attacks.
Next. Top 5 replacements for Ernesto Valverde. dark
The club has now successfully maintained its unbeaten record in the Champions League this season, but needs to carry through some of this form into the La Liga, where some tricky fixtures are coming up.