LaLiga
Result: FC Barcelona 5-0 Eibar
Date: 22 February 2020
Venue: Camp Nou
Lionel Messi ended his goal drought by bagging four goals for FC Barcelona, who thrashed Eibar 5-0 to move top of LaLiga on Saturday evening.
Click through the gallery to see action from Barcelona's big win over Eibar.
Quique Setien started without Samuel Umtiti, Sergi Roberto, Frenkie De Jong and Ansu Fati ahead of their UEFA Champions League clash against Napoli, with new signing Martin Braithwaite only named on the bench.
A piece of magic from Messi gave the Catalans the opener after the Argentine worked his way out of a tricky situation for a lofty finish inside the 14th minute, ending his run of four games without a goal.
Messi and the home side had a second inside the 37th minute when he collected Arturo Vidal's forward pass before firing home from a tight angle.
The Argentine completed his first-half hat-trick three minutes later after capitalising on a defensive error for a first-time finish following a one-two with Antoine Griezmann.
A quick-fire double save from Marko Dmitrovic denied Barca a fourth as Griezmann went close with a decent strike while Sergio Busquets followed up on the rebound in the final minute of the half.
Download The Soccer Laduma Social Media App Earn Airtime for Selfies!
Barca missed another golden chance to stretch their lead five minutes after halftime as Ivan Rakitic got on the back post to connect with Griezmann's cross, but Dmitrovic showed sharp reflexes.
Setien gave a debut to new signing Braithwaite who replaced Griezmann following the 72nd minute, as Barca searched for more goals.
Messi finally had a fourth goal when good work from Braithwaite on the left side saw the ball fly across the six-yard area into the path of the Argentine who slotted home in the last three minutes.
There was time for a fifth when good work again from Braithwaite found Arthur Melo, who drilled home from close-range minutes later, as Barca romped to a comfortable triumph.
