Lionel Messi is Hot in Barca vs. Lyon UEFA Champions League Match
Barcelona forward Lionel Messi had an impressive performance for Barcelona FC when the Catalans hosted French Ligue 1 Champions Olympique Lyonnais at the Nou Camp in Barcelona for their 2007-08 UEFA Champions League group stage match. Lionel Messi was announced as the Man of the Match for his tireless efforts in attacking the Lyon goal. Messi was instrumental in providing the first Barca goal when he took a short corner from Ronaldinho and drove a low cross across the Lyon goal. Lyon defender Francois Clerc did his best to block the cross, but his touch diverted the ball into the back of the Lyon goal, giving Barcelona a 1-0 advantage due to the Lyon own goal in the 21st minute.
Barcelona looked to be in control throughout the entire match from thereon. Barca’s Lionel Messi, Deco, Ronaldinho, Gianluca Zambrotta and Thierry Henry were relentless in their assult of the Lyon goal. Fortunately, Lyon keeper Remy Vercoutre made some impressive stops. Even Lyon defender Francois Clerc was able to redeem his early own goal blunder by blocking Messi’s shot just right at the goal line.
However, the Barca attacked continued to wear down the Lyon defense, and the 20-year old Messi eventually earned a goal for himself on the 82nd minute when Deco cut on the left side and passed the ball to substitute Andres Iniesta who drew the Lyon defenders towards him as he closed in on the goal. Iniesta then passed the ball back into the middle where Lionel Messi one-timed it into the back of the Lyon net beating Lyon keeper Remy Vercoutre.
Barcelona fans were ecstatic as the 2-0 lead looked to guarantee the win with only less than 10 minutes remaining. The celebrations were even kicked up a notch when Thierry Henry scored a late goal during injury time of the second half. Barca substitute Giovani Dos Santos rushed past the Lyon defense and had a clear attempt at goal. Lyon keeper Remy Vercoutre was able to block the inital shot of Giovani Dos Santos, but Thierry Henry was right there to slot the rebound into a defenseless empty net, giving Barcelona a 3-0 lead. That goal marks Thierry Henry’s 43rd goal of the UEFA Champions League.
Barcelona’s victory gives them the 3 points to stay at the top of Group E tied with the Rangers who won against Bundesliga champions VfB Stuttgart 2-1 on the Rangers home pitch at Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow, Scotland.
Barcelona’s next UEFA Champions League group stage match is on October 2, 2007. Barcelona will be visitors to Bundesliga champions VfB Stuttgart at the Gottlieb-Daimler Stadion in Stuttgart, Germany.
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