Super Messi win Super Cup (4-0)
Roger Bogunyà
Messi was the star as he scored a hat-trick to help Barça add yet another piece of silverware to the collection won under coach Guardiola as they bounced back from a 1st leg defeat to win the Super Cup against Sevilla in Camp Nou on Saturday evening.
The Argentinian scored twice before the break before completing his trio towards the end of the encounter that was dominated by a Barça side that sent out a message to the rest of the league and Europe that they are still hungry for success. After losing the first leg of the tie 3-1 in Sevilla the Catalan outfit knew that a strong start was required and three first half goals put them in the driving seat against a visiting team that was reduced to playing on the counter-attack.
David Villa and Adriano secured their first trophy with the club after joining in the summer and made their first appearances at Camp Nou in front of their new fans.
Pedro scores
Barça set themselves on course to become the club that has won the Spanish Super Cup on the most occasions and their eighth trophy in two seasons under Guardiola by powering forward from the start. While Messi was just warming up, Pedro led the way as he slalomed into the area before seeing his low centre turned into his own net by Abdoulay Konko with 13 minutes on the clock.
Xavi assist
Gerard Piqué was domineering at the back while Xavi pulled the strings in midfield and looked like he had never been away and it was him who set up the second goal with a pinpoint pass through the Sevilla defence that Messi ran on to before beating Andrés Palop in the 24th minute. That made the tie level on aggregate, but two minutes before the break the hosts took the lead overall when Dani Alves cut inside Diego Capel before slotting a pass to Messi and his first time effort rose above the goalkeeper and into the net.
Villa debut
In the secnod half Barça continued to dominate and the fans were able to welcome a new hero to the club as Villa entered the fray in the 56th minute alongside fellow substitute Andrés Iniesta. The former Valencia star was unable to mark his home debut with a goal, but he had his chance and picked up his first medal at the end.
Messi third
Sevilla made changes to try and reinvigorate their side but even the introduction of Luis Fabiano could not bring them back into the tie. Instead, Barça extended their advantage as Messi completed another memorable evening with a third goal for himself and a fourth for the team. Villa and Iniesta combined and the Argentinian star was able to drive home from close range.
Vamos, més que un club!
