#5 Lionel Messi making the difference for Barca
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The 5-time Ballon D’Or winner was at his efficient best on the night. He had all of two clear-cut opportunities in the first 60 minutes, and he succeeded in converting both of them.
The maestro picked up 2 of his 3 goals with well-timed runs. The first came courtesy a slip by City’s Fernandinho, which gave Messi all the time in the world to guide a finish past the despairing Bravo, who hemmed and hawed and could do nothing as Messi slotted the ball into the near post.
He was also at hand to finish off a move generated by the hard work of Suarez for his hat-trick goal. His best one was the second, in which he directed a shot from outside the box past a helpless Willy Caballero in goal.
All-in-all, Messi was the best player on the pitch last night, and as is usually the case for Barca, made the crucial difference on the scoreline.
