Lionel missei was once again the star as Barcelona eased to a deserved 3-0 win over River Plate in Sunday's World Club Cup final in Yokohama.
Messi had missed the 3-0 semifinal win over Guangzhou Evergrande due to a kidney problem, but having passed a stone in the meantime, the Argentine took his place in the starting XI, scored the opening goal and generally ran things against his fellow countrymen.
The 28-year-old was clearly keen to get involved early. His nice run lead to the game's first booking for River's Matias Kranevitter and there were some decent link-ups with Neymar and a stinging shot which drew a superb save from River keeper Marcelo BaroveroThe Copa Libertadores champions competed well up until the half hour mark when Messi started and finished the move which brought the opening goal. A direct run opened up space, he spread the ball wide to Dani Alves, who crossed towards Neymar at the back post. While there was a suggestion of handball as the ball crossed his body, the finish was expert -- a hooked volley guided out of reach of the impressive Barovero.
Then, the game was up as Sergio Busquets' superb assist sent Luis Suarez clear to make it 2-0 early in the second half. And Messi might have scored three more within 10 minutes as the game opened up completely. Given he spent most of last week in considerable pain, it was understandable that the No. 10 faded a bit late on -- especially after Suarez had added the third.
Lovely
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