Barcelona win Copa Del Rey: Lionel Messi scores wonder-goal in Xavi's final match at the Nou Camp

Luis Enrique's side were 3-1 winners over Athletic Bilbao in the final

Agency
Sunday 31 May 2015 15:13 BST
Comments
Lionel Messi salutes the Nou Camp crowd during the Copa del Rey final victory for Barcelona
Lionel Messi salutes the Nou Camp crowd during the Copa del Rey final victory for Barcelona (GETTY IMAGES)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Barcelona's Copa Del Rey final win may have been Xavi's last game at the Nou Camp but after the game it was Lionel Messi's wonder goal which was at the forefront of the captain's mind.

Luis Enrique's side were 3-1 winners over Athletic Bilbao as they completed a domestic double following their league triumph and once again it was the Argentinian who stole the show.

Messi, starting just inside the Athletic half near the right touchline, weaved his way past four defenders and then beat Iago Herrerin at his near post for a stunning strike in the Nou Camp clash after 20 minutes.

Neymar rounded off a neat team move to double Barcelona's advantage nine minutes before the break and Messi put the game further out of Athletic's reach by stabbing home a third goal after 74 minutes.

Twenty-year-old Inaki Williams, who had struck the bar with a volley four minutes before half-time, was rewarded for his endeavour with a consolation cup final goal 11 minutes from time, but that was as good as it got for the Basque outfit.

"We have absolute confidence right now," Xavi told the club's official website before waxing lyrical about Messi's strike. "(It was) scandalous, awesome. I think it's one of the best goals he's ever scored."

Xavi salutes the crowd on his final appearance at the Nou Camp
Xavi salutes the crowd on his final appearance at the Nou Camp (GETTY IMAGES)

Team-mate Javier Mascherano added: "Maybe that was one of Messi's best goals. Goals are also measured by the importance of the match and by the opponent. Leo worked his magic and that moved things in our favour."

After a tough start, Neymar felt that once Barcelona assumed control and went ahead through Messi's strike there was no going back for the Catalan giants.

"They pressed us really hard, and we had to suffer but we took control of the game, we started to play our game, and we ended up with the two goals [in the first half]," he said.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in