Messi scores from a tight angle, Barca narrows gap with Real

M10 had a clever free kick in the match against Bilbao, thereby helping Barca win 3-0 and reduce the gap with Real to one point.

Goals: Alcacer 18', Messi 40', Aleix Vidal 67'

Messi scored a goal when he took a free kick from the right wing outside the penalty area, where most players usually create a cross for a teammate to finish. While goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz also had the same thought, M10 fired a shot aimed straight at a narrow angle. When he discovered Messi's intention, Iraizoz quickly closed the angle but could not prevent the ball from bouncing off his hand and into the net.

In addition to the appeal of a beautiful and daring finish, Messi's goal also helped Barca decide the match. Before this goal, the Nou Camp team took the lead thanks to Paco Alcacer but was under a lot of pressure from Bilbao. In the first 32 minutes, Bilbao even had up to five opportunities to score against goalkeeper Ter Stegen but failed to take advantage of them. Notable among them were Raul Garcia's shot that hit the post, or Inaki Williams' diving header that went just wide of the goal.

Goalkeeper Iraizoz was surprised after Messi's free kick. Photo: Reuters

Losing the game to Bilbao in the early stages of the match may have been a result of a risky decision by coach Luis Enrique. In an attempt to rotate his squad, the coach left in-form striker Luis Suarez on the bench for the entire match. Instead, Paco Alcacer started from the start alongside Neymar and Messi. This decision was somewhat risky but also brought some success: Alcacer scored the opening goal with a precise tap-in from Neymar's cross. It was also the striker's first goal in La Liga since his $33 million transfer last summer.

After scoring two goals in the first half, Barca controlled the game more easily. Bilbao no longer created exciting attacks like before, while Messi and his teammates were always ready to send the ball into the penalty area to threaten goalkeeper Iraizoz's goal. Barca did not even need Messi to get the third goal. After the captain left the field for about three minutes, Aleix Vidal broke through from midfield into the penalty area and fired a cross-angle shot to seal a big win.

Right-back Vidal went all the way to the opponent's penalty area to score.

With a more precise finish, Barca could have scored a fourth or fifth. Neymar, Vidal and Rakitic all missed in the final 10 minutes. Bilbao, meanwhile, had a one-on-one with Ter Stegen but failed to capitalise: Eraso missed the target by two metres.

Thanks to the victory over Bilbao, Barca reduced the gap with the leading team Real to one point (46-45). Real had to play late in round 21 of La Liga when they were away at Celta Vigo on the evening of February 5. Coach Zidane's team also did not have another make-up match with Valencia.

Third-placed Sevilla also plays round 21 on the evening of February 5 when they host Villarreal. Barca are currently three points ahead of them. Meanwhile, thanks to a 2-0 win over Leganes, Atletico Madrid solidified their fourth place with 39 points.

Paco Alcacer ended his goal drought in La Liga that lasted more than half a year.

According to VNE