Barcelona 4-0 PSV: Messi starts to fulfil his Champions League promise

Barcelona 4-0 PSV: Messi starts to fulfil his Champions League promise

Messi, autor de dos goles, empezó a cumplir su promesa
Messi, autor de dos goles, empezó a cumplir su promesa | AFP

The Argentine has promised the supporters he will do his all to win the European Cup

Barcelona kicked off their Champions League campaign with a 4-0 win over PSV Eindhoven thanks to an inspired performance from Lionel Messi. 

MATCH FACTS
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

FC BARCELONA

4 ________________ 0

PSV

LINE UP

FC BARCELONA

Ter Stegen, Sergi Roberto, Piqué, Umtiti, Jordi Alba, Busquets, Rakitic (Arturo Vidal, 85'), Coutinho (Lenglet, 81'), Messi, Dembélé (Arthur, 83') y Suárez.

PSV

Zoet, Dumfries, Schwaab, Viergever (Isimat-Mirin, 67'), Tasende, Rosario (Erick Gutiérrez, 82'), Hendrix, Pereiro, Bergwijn (Malen, 78'), Lozano y De Jong.

GOLES

1-0, Messi (31'). 2-0, Dembélé (75'). 3-0, Messi (77'). 4-0, Messi (88').

ÁRBITRO

Tasos Sidiriopoulos (Grecia). T.A.: Umtiti (2) (56' y 79')/Viergever (29') y De Jong (77').

INCIDENCIAS

Partido correspondiente de la primera jornada de la fase de grupos de la Champions League disputado en el Camp Nou ante 73.462 espectadores.

Messi scored a hat-trick, his eighth in the competition, with Ousmane Dembele completing the scoring with a fine individual effort. 

Ernesto Valverde picked his strongest side for the game, confirming Barca’s desire to go far in Europe this season after three last eight exits in a row. 

However, the Dutch champions posed a threat on the break, with Gaston Pereiro and Steven Bergwijn having early chances. 

Messi opened the scoring with a fine free kick in the 32nd minute, angling the ball into the top corner after Ousmane Dembele had been fouled. 

Jose Tasende tested Marc-Andre ter Stegen after the break and Gerard Pique blocked Hirving Lozano before Barca pulled away late on. 

Dembele spun two defenders before firing home from 20 yards to give the La Liga side a 2-0 lead in the 75th minute. 

Moments later, Messi guided home Ivan Rakitic’s pass with his first touch to take the game out of PSV’s sight. 

Samuel Umtiti was sent off for picking up a second yellow card but Barca remained on top and Messi completed the scoring late on. 

Barca are next in action against Tottenham at Wembley at the beginning of October. The English side were beaten 2-1 by Inter on Tuesday in the group’s other game.