Alvaro Fernandez, the Huesca goalkeeper, could not do anything: two strikes from the left at the entrance to the box, two perfect skylights, two majestic goals. Five days after the elimination in the Champions League in Paris, Messi (13th) then Griezmann (35th) gave the necessary impetus to the “Blaugranas” to win this crucial match and get closer to the top of the standings.
Rafa Mir, on a contentious penalty for a slight collision with Marc-André ter Stegen in the area, reduced the gap just before the break (45th + 3). But as Maffeo’s weak shot saved by Barça’s German goalkeeper at the start of the match (25th), it was a wasted effort.
And Mingueza, in the second period (53rd), tripled the bet for his first pro goal of the header, on a cross from his Argentine captain … who even scored a double with his 21st goal in La Liga at the end of the game. (90th) to seal the score, with a small ball placed in the lower left corner of Huesca’s cages.
The score could even have been saltier, if Jordi Alba (33rd) and Frenkie de Jong (42nd) had not found the crossbar.
-Record for Messi-
In line with their recent progress posted on the grounds of Spain and even at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday (1-1), the Catalans largely dominated the game. Logical, facing the promoted and red lantern of the Huesca championship.
But yet another proof that Barça has been doing better for a few weeks: Barcelona have not lost in the league since December 5 in Cadiz (2-1), and have since chained 14 successes and 3 draws.
Enough to convince Messi, at the end of his contract in June, to stay? La Pulga (chip, in Spanish), was voted man of the match and set a new record on Monday.
With his 767th game in the Blaugrana jersey, he equaled Camp Nou legend Xavi Hernandez. And will undoubtedly overtake him on Sunday in San Sebastián against Real Sociedad to become the only record holder for the number of matches played in the Barça jersey.
“He’s Barça’s most important man, luckily he’s still with us,” said Ronald Koeman in a post-match press conference.
For Huesca, on the other hand, the future looks darker … but it is not sealed. The red lantern of Liga is only four points from the first non-relegation, Elche (24 pts).