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Barcelona 4-1 Espanyol: Messi double ensures comfortable first-leg victory

Lionel Messi scored twice, while Gerard Pique and Neymar were also on target for Barcelona as nine-man Espanyol crumbled at Camp Nou

Barcelona opened up a comfortable lead in its Copa del Rey last-16 clash with Espanyol after winning the first leg 4-1 against nine men at Camp Nou.

After falling behind early on, thanks to Felipe Caicedo’s goal, holder Barca retaliated within four minutes thanks to Lionel Messi and went on to dominate proceedings.

Messi added his 241st goal in 241 home matches for the host with a sensational free kick just before halftime and then teed up Gerard Pique in the early stages of the second period for Barcelona's third as Espanyol was unable to handle Luis Enrique's men.