The National's Sport cover for the Thursday, May 7 issue, featuring Lionel Messi as he spurred Barcelona to a stunning late show against Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-final first leg.
For 77 minutes on Wednesday neither Barca nor Bayern could gain a decisive edge until Messi, with all his magic, blew it open, scoring on 77 and 80 minute and setting up Neymar for a third in added time.
The 3-0 result has put Barcelona in a nearly unassailable position.
Writes Andy Mitten from Spain:
“The average ticket for non-members cost €140 (Dh585), a high price but one for an absorbing, frenetic, breathless game.
“The attacking instinct of both teams made for great entertainment, with heavy tackles and sublime skills.
“The pace settled and only Messi, so often a match-winner, could change it when his 77th-minute drive beat Neuer.
“The Argentine added a second three minutes later, running onto a pass and spinning past Boateng before chipping Neuer.
“Guardiola called Messi “unstoppable” pre-match.
“He knew Barcelona well, and the best player in the world even better.
“By the time of Barca’s third, when Messi set Neymar free to place the ball past Neuer in stoppage time, the home fans had unfurled a ‘Next Stop Berlin’ flag. Bayern’s players will need to do more than climb a mountain to keep that from happening.”
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