BARCELONA, Spain (AP) – Lionel Messi scored a stunning opener before adding a second goal to lead Barcelona to the Copa del Rey football title with a 3-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao on Saturday, giving the Catalan club the second of three possible trophies before they turn to the Champions League final.
Messi did it all by himself in the 20th minute when he dribbled past four Bilbao defenders to put Barcelona in charge. The star forward added a second goal after Neymar doubled the lead to build a 3-0 advantage as Barcelona claimed their record 27th cup title – and third in seven years, all at the expense of Bilbao.
Barcelona won the Spanish league two weeks ago and, led by Luis Enrique, have now won two major trophies for the first time since 2011.
They finished last season without a major piece of silverware under former coach Gerardo Martino. They will have a chance to make it a rare treble when they play Juventus for the European Cup in Berlin next Saturday.
“We have two, and now we want the third. That is the mentality of this team and this club,” Luis Enrique said. “Messi is the best player in the world, even though we are used to him. I saw his first goal up close, but I am eager to watch it again later.”
