Playing as the visitor's in their own stadium, Barcelona completed the second step of the illusive treble on Saturday with a 3-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao in the 2015 Copa del Rey Final.
Lionel Messi scored a brace, and Neymar added one himself, as the Brazilian forward was impossible to contain throughout the match.
Messi started the scoring with one of the single most impressive goals you'll see. Messi navigated his way through three Bilbao players as he stormed down the right hand side of the pitch. He sprinted into the box where he maneuvered around three more Bilbao defenders, curling a shot just inside the near post for the goal.
Messi's individual effort was inspirational as the maestro did what he does best: shock, surprise and leave us in wonderment.
"He's a little wizard," ESPN2 announcer Mark Donaldson shouted.
The terrific trio of Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar continued to show why are the fiercest forwards in the entire world. Messi, Ivan Rakitic, and Suarez used quick and rapid touches to evade the Bilbao defense in the 33rd minute. Suarez and Rakitic ran a give and go in the box and as Rakitic raced inside the six-yard line, grabbing the attention of the defense, Suarez found a wide open Neymar on the far post for the easy tap in goal.
Messi made it a double in the 74th minute after a brilliant job fighting for the cross against the Bilbao defenders. Dani Alves burst into the right side of the box, and sent a cross into the center. At first glance, it seemed impossible that "La Pulga" would make it from across the box and beat three Bilbao defenders to the ball, but that's exactly what he did, flicking the ball of his left foot and into the center of the net.
In our preview article of the match earlier, we believed that Messi would score a brace en route to the Barcelona victory, and the Argentine striker did not let us down.
Athletic Bilbao made something out of nothing a few minutes later. Inaki Williams headed in a Ibai Gomez cross from the center of the box that just snuck past Marc-Andre ter Stegen in the top right corner of the net for Bilbao's only goal.
Xavi entered the match in the 56th minute in what is likely his final match at Camp Nou of his illustrious career. The 35-year-old midfielder is expected to join Al-Sadd SC after the UEFA Champions League Final on June 6th. Xavi entered into the game amidst a rousing ovation from the home town crowd.
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