Arsenal managed to contain Lionel Messi and Barcelona for just over 70 minutes, but Barcelona conjured 20 minutes of devastation to leave the Gunners’ UEFA Champions League hopes in tatters.
Messi scored both goals in Barcelona’s 2-0 win over Arsenal on Tuesday at Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal defended with great discipline until Barcelona opened its defense with a counter attack late in the game. Luis Suarez, Neymar and Messi, Barcelona’s unmatchable attacking trio, combined to give Barcelona the breakthrough it was seeking.
Lionel Messi scores his 81st #UCL goal to open the scoring for Barcelona at Arsenal. #UCLonFOX @HeinekenSoccer https://t.co/RgbjsBMumC
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) February 23, 2016
Messi’s goal propelled Barcelona to a higher level, and Arsenal failed to react. Barcelona took greater control of proceedings from there and only had to wait another 12 minutes to extend its lead.
Mathieu Flamini clumsily fouled Messi inside Arsenal’s penalty area, and the Argentinian superstar converted the spot kick.
Lionel Messi doubles Barcelona's lead with a clinical penalty, a huge, second away goal. #UCLonFOX @HeinekenSoccer https://t.co/cUfYoZViB3
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) February 23, 2016
00:47 – There were just 47 seconds between Mathieu Flamini coming on to the pitch and him giving away a penalty. D'oh. #UCL #AFCvFCB
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 23, 2016
8 – Lionel Messi now has eight #UCL goals vs Arsenal – only against AC Milan (8) has he scored as often. Ruthless. #AFCvFCB
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 23, 2016
The reigning Champions League winner will have a commanding lead when it hosts Arsenal on March 16 at Camp Nou in the second leg of the teams’ Champions League Round of 16 series.
In Tuesday’s other Champions League game, host Juventus came back from a two-goal deficit to draw Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Round of 16 series.
Thomas Muller gave Bayern Munich the advantage in early in the first half. Arjen Robben extended its lead 10 minutes into the second period.
Muller can't get enough on Lewandowski's pass as Bayern miss a glorious chance to take an early lead. #JuveFCB #UCL https://t.co/xFIxqGczFx
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) February 23, 2016
You know it's coming, but you just can't stop it. A typical Robben goal doubles Bayern's lead. @HeinekenSoccer #UCL https://t.co/bIyH4gc35N
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) February 23, 2016
But Juventus’ red-hot striker Paulo Dybala halved his team’s deficit eight minutes after Robben scored.
Paulo Dybala's first-ever #UCL goal gets Juventus back in the game and the tie. @HeinekenSoccer https://t.co/qJIIY28RBO
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) February 23, 2016
Alvaro Morata then tied the score with a poacher’s special in the 75th minute.
The substitutes Morata and Sturaro combine to draw Juventus level vs Bayern. What a comeback! @HeinekenSoccer #UCL https://t.co/sPni78v59D
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) February 23, 2016
Bayern Munich will host Juventus on March 16. The German club should take comfort in its two away goals, which give it a slight edge heading into the decisive game.
Thumbnail photo via Frank Augstein/The Associated Press
