Madrid: Lionel Messi scored twice, including one brilliant individual effort, in his first start of the year as Barcelona beat Getafe 2-0 in the second-leg of their Copa del Rey last-16 tie to progress 6-0 on aggregate.
However, it was far from a perfect Thursday evening for the Catalans as Neymar had to be carried from the field after suffering a nasty looking ankle sprain midway through the first half.
Barca boss Gerardo Martino, though, played down fears that the Brazilian could be sidelined for a significant period of time.
“We don’t think it is as bad as it appeared on television. He could be out for a period of time, but it shouldn’t be too serious, the player is fine,” he said.
Neymar was making his first start of the year after recovering from a bout of gastroenteritis.
However, his return lasted only 23 minutes as he had to be helped off the field as he turned his ankle in attempting to cross the ball.
The visitors shrugged off the loss, though, as Cristian Tello’s cross was turned in at the near post by Messi two minutes before half time.
And the best was still to come from the diminutive Argentine as he danced past three Getafe challenges before rounding goalkeeper Jordi Codina and finishing from a tight angle for his fourth goal of the tie just after the hour mark.
Messi went on to complete the 90 minutes and Martino said he was now confident that his compatriot is now fully match fit. (AFP)
