Messi scores hat-trick in Barca's jubilant opening match

Goals: Messi 32', 77', 87', Dembele 75'

The 4-0 scoreline did not reflect the reality on the pitch, where PSV did not have a performance that was too different from Barca's. The Dutch champions played effectively from the start and had two early chances to score. With the clock ticking into the seventh minute, midfielder Gaston Pereiro almost opened the scoring with a volley that went just over the bar. Another PSV attacker, striker Steven Bergwijn, also missed a chance, when his curling effort went just wide of the post in the 11th minute.

Unable to suppress PSV's dynamic and youthful style of play, Barca had no choice but to attack with the experience of seasoned players like Messi, Luis Suarez, and Ivan Rakitic. The home team's most notable response during the opening period was Philippe Coutinho's header that went over the bar.

In a game that was evenly matched in terms of attacking situations, Messi's opening goal was almost decisive for Barca. When Suarez, Dembele and Coutinho failed to find a way to score, M10 shined with a direct free kick. From Messi's feet, the ball curved over the wall, leaving goalkeeper Jeroen Zoet flying out of reach in vain.

The opening goal also acted as a psychological medicine for Barca. After taking the lead, the home team played more confidently and created more chances. If they had been lucky, Coutinho could have scored with two of his signature curling shots. Suarez also missed a chance when he lobbed the ball against the crossbar.

PSV also played very resiliently after the first goal. Falling into a pressured position, the Dutch champions often responded with fast counter-attacks. Mexican winger Hirving Lozano stood out with many situations of dribbling and shooting towards goalkeeper Ter Stegen. For illegally blocking Lozano, center-back Samuel Umtiti received a second yellow card in the 79th minute and was sent off.

Unable to score easily against PSV, Barca once again had to rely on individual brilliance to finish the match. In the 75th minute, after fooling two opposing midfielders with a backheel, Ousmane Dembele broke through the middle and curled the ball into the net from 22 meters.

Barca's goal to make it 2-0 really caused PSV a psychological problem. With nothing to lose, the Dutch team attacked and made more mistakes. Seizing the opportunity, from a high pass from Rakitic, Messi increased the gap with a connecting shot in the penalty area.

Not stopping at a double, Messi completed his hat-trick when he had another chance towards the end of the match. After escaping the offside trap, M10 shot diagonally with his right foot, defeating Zoet.

The big win on the opening day was a very favorable result for Barca. The Nou Camp team is currently leading Group B thanks to a better goal difference than Inter, the Serie A representative also has three points after a 2-1 win over Tottenham.