Luis Suarez is the quintessential all-action forward, but he donned his poachers’ hat Tuesday.
Suarez scored both goals in Barcelona’s 2-1 win over Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League round of 16. Suarez struck twice in the first half, threatening to blow open the teams’ round of 16 series before it reached the halfway point.
Suarez’s first goal came in the 16th minute on a clinical finish after he knocked down Dani Alves’ cross to himself. Suarez eluded defender Vincent Kompany before firing a shot past goalkeeper Joe Hart inside the far post.
In the 30th minute, Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba combined to create Suarez’s second goal. Messi unbalanced Manchester City’s defense before passing to Alba, whose cross Suarez redirected past Hart from the goal mouth.
Sergio Aguero cut into Barcelona’s advantage with a goal in 69th minute. Messi then spurned a chance to restore the two-goal lead when he failed to score from the penalty spot in the second-half stoppage time.
The goals doubled Suarez’s previous tally in this season’s Champions League. He now has scored nine goals in 23 games since joining the Spanish club from Liverpool in a blockbuster transfer last summer.
Suarez never scored prolifically against Manchester City during his Liverpool career. He only scored once for Liverpool in six games against the Premier League heavyweights.
Things have changed for the Uruguayan now that he has moved on from Anfield.
Suarez scores first goal for Barcelona (Video) >>
Suarez has muted impact in Barcelona debut >>
First GIF via Reddit
Second GIF via Reddit
