La Liga: Messi, Griezmann braces guide Barcelona to 4-0 win over Granada

Antoine Griezmann opened the scoring against Granada CF, while Lionel Messi struck twice before the break to make it four goals in his last two games for FC Barcelona.

Published : Jan 10, 2021 01:49 IST

FC Barcelona forward Antoine Griezmann celebrates one of his two goals against Granada CF in the 2020-21 La Liga on Saturday.
FC Barcelona forward Antoine Griezmann celebrates one of his two goals against Granada CF in the 2020-21 La Liga on Saturday.
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FC Barcelona forward Antoine Griezmann celebrates one of his two goals against Granada CF in the 2020-21 La Liga on Saturday.

Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann each scored twice as Barcelona thrashed Granada 4-0 away on Saturday to win a third consecutive La Liga game for the first time this season.

Griezmann opened the scoring in the 12th minute, while Messi struck twice before the break to make it four goals in his last two matches and go top of the league's scoring charts with 11 goals.

French forward Griezmann scored a classy second goal after halftime and things got worse for Granada when Jesus Vallejo was sent off in the 78th minute for clattering into Barca substitute Martin Braithwaite.

The victory took Barca back into third place in the standings with 34 points, closing the gap with leader Atletico Madrid to four points.

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However, Atletico, whose game with Athletic Bilbao was postponed due to heavy snow in the Spanish capital, has three matches in hand.

Barca had produced one of its best displays under Ronald Koeman in Wednesday's 3-2 win at Athletic Bilbao but has tended to struggle for consistency this campaign, in particular away from home.

But Griezmann got the team off to a strong start when he stuck out his leg to prod the ball home when a deflection from Granada's Roberto Soldado fell into his path and played him onside.

The Frenchman then went on a marauding run through the middle to tee up Messi, who lashed into the top corner in the 35th minute.

The Argentina international struck again shortly before halftime, arrowing low into the net from a free-kick and then enjoyed a rare rest when Koeman removed him for Braithwaite midway through the second half.

Griezmann showed his soaring confidence with his brilliant second goal, controlling a cross from Ousmane Dembele with his left foot then using his other foot to find the far bottom corner from a tight angle with his right.

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