Barcelona responded to last weekend’s defeat to Atlético Madrid by comfortably beating Osasuna 4-0 at the Camp Nou on Sunday. Martin Braithwaite opened the scoring, Antoine Griezmann hit an incredible volley before setting up Philippe Coutinho for Barça’s third and Lionel Messi got the fourth with a sweet sweep of his left foot.
Before the match, the life of Diego Maradona — who spent two seasons with Barcelona between 1982 and 1984 — was honored with his No. 10 shirt placed in the middle of the pitch.
FC Barcelona's pregame tribute to Diego Maradona #BarçaOsasuna#RIPMaradona pic.twitter.com/xUEKMxA82T
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) November 29, 2020
The cameras frequently found Barcelona’s current No. 10 during the tribute, and it was Messi who began the move on Barcelona’s first goal with a cross-field switch to Jordi Alba. Alba’s cross eventually found the back of the net with Braithwaite providing the final touch, but Messi was also on hand.
BRAITHWAITE opens the scoring with his first goal of the LaLiga campaign. 1-0, Barcelona! #BarçaOsasuna
beIN SPORTS
CONNECT https://t.co/LRYa03w6yI pic.twitter.com/oJ9yV8Nhws— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) November 29, 2020
#HandofGOAT #HandofGod pic.twitter.com/lZ2pmhSwrD
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) November 29, 2020
Barcelona doubled its advantage before halftime with Griezmann taking all of his frustrations out on the football. This is one way to vanquish your personal demons.
Griezmann turned provider in the 57th-minute by setting up Coutinho for an easy finish, and Messi crafted the final flourish in the 73rd with a beautiful finish and celebration. The Argentine revealed a No. 10 Newell’s Old Boys jersey, the club in Rosario where Messi spent his youth career. Maradona briefly played for the team in 1993.
MESSI pays his respects to Maradona with a trademark left-footed beauty.#BarçaOsasuna
beIN SPORTS
CONNECT https://t.co/LRYa03w6yI pic.twitter.com/QnIuJbBse1— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) November 29, 2020
On Diego Maradona’s debut for @CANOBoficial , a six-year-old boy performed kick-ups during half time.That boy was Lionel Messi.
Today, Messi wore a match-worn shirt, he got from Diego as a gift, and showed it as a tribute to him after scoring against Osasuna. pic.twitter.com/yNo8NdeT74
— 433 (@433) November 29, 2020
Barcelona climbs to seventh with the win, nine points behind leader Real Sociedad.