ANOTHER LEO MESSI Wembley masterclass and a sublime strike from Ivan Rakitic got Barcelona back in the groove as they clinched a pulsating 4-2 victory against Tottenham on.
Ernesto Valverde’s side arrived in London for the Champions League Group B tie amid a mini-crisis after failing to win their last three La Liga games.
But the Spanish champions have fond memories of the English national stadium, where they won the European Cup in 1992 and 2011, and they were revitalised by the sight of the iconic venue.
Aided by a rush of blood from Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, Barcelona went ahead after only 92 seconds as Philippe Coutinho scored their quickest Champions League goal since 2005.
Rakitic stole the spotlight midway through the first half when the Croatia midfielder struck with a thunderous half-volley.
Virgin Media Sport / Twitter
Virgin Media Sport / Twitter / Twitter
In a dramatic second half, Tottenham’s Harry Kane reduced the deficit before the majestic Messi added Barcelona’s third.
Erik Lamela’s deflected strike kept Tottenham in the hunt, but Messi capped a mesmerising performance in the final moments to give Barca a second successive group-stage victory as they emerged from their recent struggles.
Tottenham are in danger of crashing out at the group stage for the second time in three years.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side have lost both of their group matches after a 2-1 defeat at Inter Milan in their opener. They head to PSV Eindhoven for their next European fixture on October 24 knowing a win is essential as they already trail Barca and Inter by six points.
It took Messi less than two minutes to show reports of Barca’s demise were greatly exaggerated.
Taking possession on the halfway line, Messi was pressured by Son Heung-Min, but his devastating response was simply sublime.
Messi twisted away from Son as if swatting away an annoying fly, then unfurled a perfectly-weighted pass that picked out Jordi Alba’s run behind Tottenham defender Kieran Trippier.
Alba alertly picked out Coutinho on the edge on the penalty area and, with Lloris having needlessly rushed off his line, the former Liverpool forward was able to fire into the empty net.
It was a bad mistake by Lloris in the French World Cup winner’s first appearance since August after a torrid period marred by a thigh injury and his arrest for drink-driving.
Tottenham were decimated by injuries to Christian Eriksen, Dele Alli and Mousa Dembele and it took 25 minutes before they finally had a shot when Kane brought a routine save from Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
That was only a brief respite for Tottenham as Valverde’s team doubled their lead in the 28th minute.
Once again the creation and execution were breath-taking.
Messi clipped a pass to Luis Suarez before Coutinho smartly hooked the ball back from the touchline to the edge of the area, where Rakitic launched himself into the air for an agile half-volley that flashed past Lloris.
Messi was toying with Tottenham and it seemed only a matter of how many Barcelona would win by when he glided away for a shot that struck a post early in the second half.
Spellbound by Messi’s magic, Tottenham backed off again moments later as the striker hit the woodwork for a second time.
Yet Kane gave Tottenham a lifeline when the England forward netted against the run of play in the 52nd minute.
Powering into the Barca area with intent, Kane side-stepped Nelson Semedo and planted a powerful low strike into the far corner for his 10th goal in 12 Champions League appearances.
Messi had the perfect response in the 56th minute when he cantered onto Alba’s pass and side-footed past Lloris.
Tottenham refused to surrender and Lamela set up a tense finale when his 66th minute shot deflected off Clement Lenglet and flew past ter Stegen.
But Messi had the last word when he slotted home from Alba’s cross to ease Barca’s nerves in the 90th minute.
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Gilroy is one of those players who should really have more international caps than he does. Hes been very unlucky in my opinion.
@Rudiger McMonihan:
Unfortunately for him his all round game is just not up to international class.
I fear that unless Adam Byrne improves his defence he will become the new Craig Gilroy but there is no doubt going forward they are impressive.
You’d worry for Ulster with that backrow. Marcel Coetzee and Jean Deysel always seem to be injured.
I wonder would Leinster have a backrow or two to spare for up north?
@Culture At War: Matt O’Connor was apparently in town this week talking to three Leinster and Ireland players about signing for Leicester Tigers next season. If Nucifora is doing his job properly, he should be making sure we keep our talent here rather than letting other talents leave like Zebo.
@Paul McCutcheon: why would any Irish forward want to play for that crash bang wallop merchant. 2 season playing for him will take 3 season of your career
@Chris Mc: Didnt stop Dominic Ryan going to them and putting any international ambition aside, rather than move North were he would have be greatly appreciated and got plenty of gametime.
@Kingshu: Agreed. Looks like Ryan is going to do a Marty Moore.
Surely Peter Nelson should be getting a start at out half in games like these? Ulster will be in real trouble when CL leaves in the new year.
@Captain NerbNerb: Should be they clearly they are banking on the outcome of the court case.
I was very impressed with McBurney performances for the U20’s over the last two years. He seems to have put on some mass which he needed to add to his already impressive technical skills at both ruck and line out time. In a position that has a load of questions marks for Ireland going forward if he continues to impress and develop his game all the better for Ulster and Ireland. At 21 and having been in the same environment with Best he has the time and guidance.
@Ian Verdon: Tbh John Andrews has a fair turn of speed which never seems fully utilized. If he was brought in the 7s program it might help him develop better footwork and handling skills.
there isnt one decent forward in that pack
@Tommy Bread: Reidy, Henry & Treadwell are all Irish internationals.
@Tommy Bread: disagree, you obviously don’t watch them regularly.
All this fake news circulating !!!
I could have sworn that Ulster announced weeks ago that they had signed a South African loose head forward.
I must be wrong, but then I have this memory of the Ulster management over the last 3 weeks saying something alone the lines of a new prop making his debut this weekend but where did he go.
Maybe they could tell us for real if he is fit or not.
Will he play soon, play this year, this season or is he banjacksed
@Mark Smith: Absolutely. Is it or is not another B@!!s up?
The Kings only real threat is in the backline. If Ulster hope to go there and play expansive sevens style rugby they could be in for a shock! Win the battle up front and when the game is in the bag do the fancy stuff.