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Two titles down, one more to go. FC Barcelona lifted a second trophy this season, as El Blaugrana defeated Athletic Club Bilbao 3-1 in the Copa Del Rey Final at the Camp Nou on Saturday night.
Barça got off to a good start, and it would have been better if the line judge didn't call a clear onside goal by Neymar offside.
Lionel Messi made it 1-0 in the 20th minute, as Leo's magic got through three Bilbao players, past another and put the ball in the back of the net. Unreal play by the greatest player of all time. Truly are no words, just watch and savor every moment.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">GOLAZO DE D10S <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/genius?src=hash">#genius</a> <a href="http://t.co/y6kWkPGjKk">pic.twitter.com/y6kWkPGjKk</a></p>— FCB (@Emenderk) <a href="https://twitter.com/Emenderk/status/604736652968361984">May 30, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Goodness, Lionel. <a href="http://t.co/lrynDfC35V">http://t.co/lrynDfC35V</a> <a href="https://t.co/1NHVKGjuys">https://t.co/1NHVKGjuys</a></p>— SB Nation Soccer (@SBNationSoccer) <a href="https://twitter.com/SBNationSoccer/status/604738102121377792">May 30, 2015</a></blockquote>
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Neymar made it 2-0 in the 37th minute, as it started with a give-and-go from Ivan Rakitic to Messi, then Raki found Luis Suárez onside who lastly and unselfishly crossed it to Neymar for the goal. Tiki-taka.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Gif: Goal Neymar <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/fcblive?src=hash">#fcblive</a> [via <a href="https://twitter.com/Emenderk">@emenderk</a>] <a href="http://t.co/bMRRc4oZwD">pic.twitter.com/bMRRc4oZwD</a></p>— barcastuff (@barcastuff) <a href="https://twitter.com/barcastuff/status/604741023693213696">May 30, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="und" dir="ltr"><a href="http://t.co/L7mcT8RbIR">pic.twitter.com/L7mcT8RbIR</a></p>— FCB (@Emenderk) <a href="https://twitter.com/Emenderk/status/604741791175331840">May 30, 2015</a></blockquote>
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In the 56th minute, Xavi Hernández came into the game for Andrés Iniesta. Xavi got a standing ovation, as "El Maestro" played his final match at the Camp Nou.
In the 74th minute, Messi picked up the 3-0 thanks to a nice low cross by Dani Alves, and Leo put it in to get his brace. Leo's 58th goal of the season in all competitions. MSN now with a record 120 goals.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">Goool doblete de D10S <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/genius?src=hash">#genius</a> <a href="http://t.co/bV8JPbIkvF">pic.twitter.com/bV8JPbIkvF</a></p>— FCB (@Emenderk) <a href="https://twitter.com/Emenderk/status/604754144323321859">May 30, 2015</a></blockquote>
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Iñaki Williams made it 1-3 in the 79th minute, as the kid had a solid game for Bilbao.
The Copa belongs to Barça!
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">Xavi e Iniesta levantan el trofeo de Copa <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/genius?src=hash">#genius</a> <a href="http://t.co/gptTbsljU8">pic.twitter.com/gptTbsljU8</a></p>— FCB (@Emenderk) <a href="https://twitter.com/Emenderk/status/604762575243493376">May 30, 2015</a></blockquote>
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FINAL: FC Barcelona 3-1 Athletic Club
Xoel's Take
Neymar's antics: seems cute, but is not needed
Late in the match, Neymar tried to do one of his trick plays that make YouTube highlights. It didn't work, and all of Athletic Club was furious with him. It wasn't needed.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Neymar AMAZING TRICK and FIGHT! Athletic vs Barcelona 2015 Copa del Rey <a href="https://t.co/BFIyavFINj">https://t.co/BFIyavFINj</a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/YouTube">@YouTube</a></p>— Matheus Alexander (@matheusalexan17) <a href="https://twitter.com/matheusalexan17/status/604769473221001216">May 30, 2015</a></blockquote>
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Some of you my say I'm being too harsh for one play, but it was an example of how Neymar still needs to grow up as a footballer. As I said long ago, Neymar can be a brilliant idiot sometimes. He has the talent to be the next best footballer in the world post-Messi, but he's still immature at times. He's young and I understand, but let's hope these small antics stop soon. It wasn't needed and Athletic Club knew they were beaten. Don't need to throw salt in the wound.
Luis Enrique after the match:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Luis Enrique: "Neymar row at the end? I would have reacted the same as Athletic players. In Brazil it's normal, but here it's not." <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/fcblive?src=hash">#fcblive</a></p>— barcastuff (@barcastuff) <a href="https://twitter.com/barcastuff/status/604775257183002624">May 30, 2015</a></blockquote>
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Lucho also said it's important to not humiliate the opponent.
Keep it classy like Leo, Neymar, and just focus on winning, not showboating. It may be the norm in Brazil, but when you're up 3-1 with less than five minutes to go in a Cup final, it's really not needed.
Xavi's last match at the Camp Nou
It's a bittersweet match, as Xavi lifted the Copa Del Rey trophy alongside Iniesta, but knowing that it will be the last time we see Xavi play at the Camp Nou is still tough to digest.
Xavi, we love you and you will be missed at the Camp Nou. We know you'll be back one day, perhaps as Barça's manager.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="und" dir="ltr"><a href="http://t.co/oug6SFGnbb">pic.twitter.com/oug6SFGnbb</a></p>— A7 (@FCBarcelona_A7) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBarcelona_A7/status/604763587714920449">May 30, 2015</a></blockquote>
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Messi's goal: sin palabras (no words/speechless)
There truly are no words to describe Lionel Messi's first goal of the night against Athletic Club Bilbao.
It reminded me of a Michael Jordan-like play—driving down the court, passing defenders and ending it with a slam-dunk. Former NFL player Barry Sanders comes to mind as well: the way Barry used to zigzag and make defenders miss the tackle to get to the end zone.
<blockquote class="twitter-video" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Messi please stop <a href="http://t.co/BHwCuLjlua">pic.twitter.com/BHwCuLjlua</a></p>— Tobi Jnohope (@tjnohope323) <a href="https://twitter.com/tjnohope323/status/604737281455476736">May 30, 2015</a></blockquote>
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Like Jordan and Sanders were in their day, Messi is nearly unstoppable, if not, completely unstoppable. Defenders can try to contain him and you may get lucky and slow him down a bit. But as far as stopping him: nearly impossible.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The laws of physics I created do not apply to Lionel Messi.</p>— God (@TheTweetOfGod) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheTweetOfGod/status/604750305545363456">May 30, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">Si, es un reverendo hdp... <a href="http://t.co/3MbCsIgUYp">pic.twitter.com/3MbCsIgUYp</a></p>— Ja som a Berlín (@PeriodistasAnon) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeriodistasAnon/status/604768066380152833">May 30, 2015</a></blockquote>
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I can't help but think — as I watch Leo's goal again — that future generations will not be able to enjoy witnessing D10S. I don't have any children, but whenever I see Messi make magical plays and goals, I wish I did have a child so we could share those magical Messi moments together. YouTube will have Messi's highlights for generations to come, but let's be honest: YouTube doesn't do Lionel Andrés Messi justice.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">La <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CopaDelRey?src=hash">#CopaDelRey</a> pertenece al Rey Leo. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BeTheDifference?src=hash">#BeTheDifference</a> <a href="http://t.co/Dj7XoOatSv">pic.twitter.com/Dj7XoOatSv</a></p>— Team Messi (@TeamMessi) <a href="https://twitter.com/TeamMessi/status/604759253262471170">May 30, 2015</a></blockquote>
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Last season was a frustrating one for Messi. No titles and Messi couldn't lead his team to wins in the 2014 Copa Del Rey Final and the last La Liga match. This season, Messi showed up in all of Barcelona's big games and the titles keep on coming.
M E S S I
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="und" dir="ltr"><a href="http://t.co/uLmQkN1XoT">pic.twitter.com/uLmQkN1XoT</a></p>— FCB (@Emenderk) <a href="https://twitter.com/Emenderk/status/604783698144317440">May 30, 2015</a></blockquote>
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Xoel's Final Word
The Copa Del Rey was a one-sided affair, as FC Barcelona rolled past Athletic Club Bilbao 3-1 at the Camp Nou on Saturday night. It was the Leo Messi show once again, but the entire team played well in their final match at the Camp Nou of the season.
FC Barcelona: The Kings of Spain.
Liga: Done
Copa: Done
Champions League: ...
A treble is near.
Now more than ever: Força Barça!
Xoel
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/FCBarcelona">@FCBarcelona</a> win their 27th <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CopaDelRey?src=hash">#CopaDelRey</a> title and secure the domestic double! <a href="http://t.co/dPtKyp5Q0j">pic.twitter.com/dPtKyp5Q0j</a></p>— KICKTV (@KICKTV) <a href="https://twitter.com/KICKTV/status/604759509437952000">May 30, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="und" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Messi?src=hash">#Messi</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CopaFCB?src=hash">#CopaFCB</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/fcblive?src=hash">#fcblive</a> <a href="http://t.co/KcwCxXry2X">pic.twitter.com/KcwCxXry2X</a></p>— Grup 14 (@G14_en) <a href="https://twitter.com/G14_en/status/604746484916068354">May 30, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">¡El <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBarcelona_es">@FCBarcelona_es</a> es el campeón de la <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CopadelRey?src=hash">#CopadelRey</a>! Consiguen su segundo título de la temporada. ¡Enhorabuena! <a href="http://t.co/wSkkQYdBji">pic.twitter.com/wSkkQYdBji</a></p>— LaLiga (@LaLiga) <a href="https://twitter.com/LaLiga/status/604759258522091520">May 30, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="pt" dir="ltr">El <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBarcelona_cat">@FCBarcelona_cat</a> aixeca el 2on títol de la temporada al Camp Nou, felicitats <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CampionsTV3?src=hash">#CampionsTV3</a>! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CopaTV3?src=hash">#CopaTV3</a> <a href="http://t.co/FIP8FYJ2S8">pic.twitter.com/FIP8FYJ2S8</a></p>— Esport3 (@esport3) <a href="https://twitter.com/esport3/status/604764542292361216">May 30, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="pt" dir="ltr">The Cup is here. Força Barça! RT to celebrate <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CopaFCB?src=hash">#CopaFCB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CampionsFCB?src=hash">#CampionsFCB</a> <a href="http://t.co/cRIO4HyRzh">pic.twitter.com/cRIO4HyRzh</a></p>— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBarcelona/status/604765038461767680">May 30, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="und" dir="ltr"><a href="http://t.co/JBlqLx9Aqk">pic.twitter.com/JBlqLx9Aqk</a></p>— FCB (@Emenderk) <a href="https://twitter.com/Emenderk/status/604771842885320705">May 30, 2015</a></blockquote>
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