Messi fires Barca to dramatic Super Cup win
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China Daily, August 18, 2011
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Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo (R) leaves the pitch as Barcelona's players celebrate their victory during their Spanish Super Cup second-leg soccer match at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, August 17, 2011. [Photo/Agencies] |
Majestic Lionel Messi volleyed a late winner as Barcelona beat arch-rivals Real Madrid 3-2 in a fiery Spanish Super Cup second leg on Wednesday to secure a 5-4 aggregate victory after the match ended with a mass brawl that saw three players sent off.
The Argentine World Player of the Year capped another marvellous performance with an unstoppable volley to claim the first silverware of the season before the trouble erupted.
Tempers boiled over on the touchline after debutant Cesc Fabregas was hacked down by Marcelo and the Brazilian defender, Mesut Ozil of Real and Barca's David Villa were all dismissed.
Messi had set up Andres Iniesta for the first goal in the 15th minute and, after Cristiano Ronaldo had quickly equalised, he scampered through to grab the second just before the break.
Karim Benzema put Real level again with nine minutes remaining but the irrepressible Messi guided Barca to victory with another piece of magic that had the crowd in raptures.
Pep Guardiola fielded the side that won the Champions League final last May, which meant new signing Fabregas from Arsenal started on the bench, but Real bossed the opening minutes.
