Lionel Messi scored Barcelona's 6,000th goal in La Liga with a clever free-kick and Philippe Coutinho came off the bench to score a stunner as the champions opened their new season with a 3-0 win over Alaves.
Barca struggled to break down their opponents for most of the game, with Messi going close when a free-kick rattled the bar. Alaves didn’t see much of the ball, but were well-drilled at the back, frustrating the Catalans for over an hour.
But Messi, Barca’s new captain for the season, opened the scoring with another set-piece when he fired a free-kick under the wall.
Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi takes a free kick to score a goal during the Spanish league football match between Barcelona and Alaves at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on August 18, 2018
Image credit: Getty Images
Coutinho then wrapped up the result when he came off the bench to score a trademark goal, cutting onto his right and firing the ball into the net.
And there was just enough time left for Messi to add his second with a wonderful solo goal.
Barca's title rivals Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid get underway on Sunday and Monday respectively.
TALKING POINT
Should Barcelona be worried about Luis Suarez’s form? The Uruguayan suffered a dreadful start to last season and so he took measures this summer to make sure he wouldn’t suffer in the same way this season. And yet Luis Suarez still looks sluggish and well short of his best, with the striker passing up a number of excellent goalscoring opportunities against Alaves. So should Barcelona be worried by how Suarez now struggles to get going at the start of every season?
Barcelona's Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez reacts during the Spanish league football match between Barcelona and Alaves at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on August 18, 2018.
Image credit: Getty Images
MAN OF THE MATCH
Lionel Messi (Barcelona) You didn’t think this game would be lit up by anyone other than Messi, did you? Barcelona struggled to break down a well-drilled and stubborn Alaves defence, with the Catalans having to wait until the 64th minute to make the breakthrough, but when they did they did so through the brilliance of their new captain. His free-kick opener was clever, with his second a product of great strength and determination. Messi is set for another golden season.
Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona shoots towards goal under a challenge by Guillermo Maripan of Deportivo Alaves during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Deportivo Alaves at Camp Nou on August 18, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain
Image credit: Getty Images
PLAYER RATINGS
Barcelona - Ter Stegen 6, Semedo 5, Pique 6, Umtiti 5, Alba 7, Busquets 6, Rakitic 6, Roberto 5, Messi 8, Suarez 5, Dembele 6. Subs - Coutinho 7, Vidal 5, Arthur 7.
Alaves - Pacheco 8, Aguirregabiria 5, Laguardia 6, Maripan 7, Duarte 5, Torres 5, Jony 6, Wakaso 6, Garcia 5, Ibai 5, Sobrino 5. Subs - Baston 5, Burgui 5, Marin 5.
KEY MOMENTS
38’ OFF THE BAR! Inches away from being the opener for Messi and Barcelona! He beat the wall, he beat Pacheco, but the freekick strike comes back off the underside of the bar and bounces away.
63’ GOAL! Barcelona 1-0 Alaves: He's done it! This time Messi goes low and under the wall, catching Pacheco off guard to find the back of the net. Barcelona have been forced to have patience and they have finally made the breakthrough! What a freekick.
67’ MESSI... OFF THE POST! He's hit the woodwork for a second time! That would have been a stunning goal from Messi. He had Pacheco beaten, but smacked the far post with a curling effort.
83’ GOAL! Barcelona 2-0 Alaves: And that should be that. Finally, Barcelona have the second goal. Trademark goal from Coutinho! He cuts inside off the left and smashes a right-footed finish into the back of the net past Pacheco! Great strike.
Philippe Coutinho of FC Barcelona celebrates with his team mate Arthur of FC Barcelona after scoring his team's second goal during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Deportivo Alaves at Camp Nou on August 18, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain.
Image credit: Getty Images
91’ GOAL! Barcelona 3-0 Alaves: Another goal for Messi in stoppage time! Wonderful play from the Argentinean who showed fantastic strength to take down a pass from Suarez, hold off the defender and finish at the near post. How did he do that?
KEY STATS
Lionel Messi scored Barcelona’s 6,000th La Liga goal in history.
Barcelona have scored 6,000 goals in La Liga history and 6.4% of them have been scored by Messi (384 goals).
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