Argentine superstar Lionel Messi lit up the European Super Cup on Friday as Champions League winners Barcelona defeated UEFA Cup holders Shakhtar Donetsk 1-0 after extra-time to claim the trophy.
Messi had the best opportunities in a disappointing match played on a cut-up, cabbage-patch of a pitch at the Stade Louis II and it was fitting that he played the pivotal role in the night’s only goal.
With five minutes of extra-time left, and with a penalty shootout beckoning, Messi played a delightful one-two, between a line of defenders, with Pedro Rodriguez before the 22-year-old substitute slotted the ball past Andriy Pyatov in the Ukrainians’ goal.
It was Barcelona’s third SuperCup and already their second piece of silverware of the season having captured the Spanish Super Cup.
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola hit out at the state of the pitch.
“It was unacceptable and unforgivable,” Guardiola said. “We talk about the health of the players, protecting them and the spectacle, but on a pitch like that?”
Shakhtar coach Mircea Lucescu said his team had suffered at the hands of referee Frank De Bleeckere.
“It’s always difficult against Barcelona because the referee is always on their side,” the Romanian said.
“There was a penalty for us which wasn’t given and twice he whistled against us when we were on top. But apart from that, I congratulate Barcelona as they are a great team and deserved to win,” he said.
Barcelona were the better of the two sides throughout.
In a poor first-half, Thierry Henry flashed a shot over Pyatov’s crossbar while the Shakhtar goalkeeper was also quick to pull off a save, low down from Messi.
It wasn’t until the 74th minute that a goal looked as if it might arrive.
Pyatov parried away a powerful drive from Messi and then back-pedalled smartly to tip over a clever chip from Henry.
Ten minutes from time, Barcelona newboy Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who had struggled all night to make any sort of impression, was replaced by Pedro Rodriguez.
In a stormy conclusion to the 90 minutes, Messi and Olexandr Kucher were booked for squaring up to each other.
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