Messi scores 2 as Barca wins first leg
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Lionel Messi marked his return from a near two-month injury absence by coming off the bench to score two late goals as Barcelona beat Getafe 4-0 in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday.
While Cesc Fabregas also scored twice, the atmosphere at the far-from-capacity Camp Nou only picked up with Messi’s entrance as a substitute in the 64th minute.
The Argentina forward showed no after-effects from a torn left hamstring.
“I felt good in training and even if they checked me thoroughly, once you get on the field it’s totally different,” Messi said. “Physically I felt good, I didn’t feel any discomfort in my muscle.”
“I played through injury,” Messi said of the buildup to his 59-day absence. “But I did well to get through all of this. And now I’m motivated to make this a great year.”
Messi slotted home Martin Montoya’s lay-off inside the area on the stroke of stoppage time before capping a typical run through the opponent’s defense with a rising shot into the back of the net moments later.
“Messi’s career is like a movie script,” Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino said. “When you think he’s down, he scores goals within just two or three minutes. His game was like a summary of his entire career here.”
In other last 16, first-leg matches, Real Betis beat Athletic Bilbao 1-0 at home, while second-division side Alcorcon also started with a 1-0 home victory against Espanyol.
And Racing Santander drew 1-1 against Almeria.
Next up for Barcelona is a crucial clash with Spanish league co-leader Atletico Madrid.
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