Lionel Messi thought Tottenham looked lost at times as he scored twice in Barcelona’s 4-2 win over the Premier League side at Wembley on Wednesday.
Philippe Coutinho and Ivan Rakitic fired Barca into a two-goal lead at the break as the La Liga champions looked to bounce back from a three-game winless run.
Messi added two more after half-time, with Spurs twice threatening a comeback through goals from Harry Kane and Erik Lamela, but it was the opening 45 minutes which left the Argentine forward most satisfied.
“We were aware that with the results we have had there were doubts,” Messi told BeIn Sports after the match. “And it’s never easy away from home in the Champions League, especially against a team like Tottenham.
“It was a big test but we produced a great performance. The first half was extraordinary, there were some fantastic moves. We controlled the half. The opposition were lost. We’re happy because things went how we wanted.”
Messi also hit the post twice, as well as playing a fine pass to Jordi Alba in the build up to Coutinho’s opener, as Barca earned a much-needed win after failing to beat Girona, Leganes or Athletic Bilbao in the last 10 days.
It was also just their second win away from home in their last eight Champions League games on the road, with the performance prompting the suggestion they’re prioritising European success this season.
“The Champions League is the cherry on the cake for everyone, but to win it we have to do well in La Liga and the Copa del Rey,” Messi added.
“It’s not easy to change chip, you have to be switched on in the league to do well in Europe. We’re not going to leave any competition to one side. The Champions League is special, but we will fight to win the league and the cup as well.”
Messi now has five goals in just two European games this season, having scored a hat trick against PSV Eindhoven last month.
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