Lionel Messi's Celebration For Barcelona's Equaliser Shows How Much The Club Still Means To Him

Barcelona left it late against Sevilla on Wednesday night, to make it through to the Copa del Rey final, and Lionel Messi was extremely happy about it.

Ronald Koeman's side have had all sorts of problems on and off the pitch this season, following a poor showing last season as well, and the 2-0 loss in the first leg threatened to end their chance of any silverware.

In the second leg Ousmane Dembele gave the hosts hope by scoring an absolute stunner in the 12th minute, before Messi had a shot cleared off the line later in the half.

Sevilla had the chance to all but wrap up the tie from the penalty spot in the 73rd minute but Marc-Andre ter Stegen saved the spot kick.

Fernando was sent off in the 92nd minute for the visitors and Gerard Pique made the most of the extra man by heading in from Antoine Griezmann's cross in the 94th minute of the game, to take it to extra time.

The goal kicked off rapturous scenes and Messi, who was on the other side of the box having just delivered a corner, was as happy as anyone.

Having been behind for the entire tie until the final minute of normal time, it didn't take Koeman's side long before they were ahead in extra time.

Substitute Martin Braithwaite headed home in the 95th minute from Jordi Alba's cross and after that Sevilla's only chance of getting back in the game came when VAR decided against giving them a penalty because of a high boot in the lead up to the incident.

Luuk de Jong became the second player sent off for Julen Lopetegui's side, but the striker was already off the pitch when the officials picked up on some thing he said.

After the game Messi was in just as good a mood as he had been after Pique's dramatic equaliser.

There's been a lot of talk about the six time Ballon d'Or winner leaving the Nou Camp, ever since he revealed he was unhappy at the club last summer, with Manchester City and PSG both rumoured to be interested.

Recently though there has been speculation that he could sign a new deal with the Catalan giants and stay beyond the end of this season.

With moments like last night, it's obvious he still loves the club.

Topics: Football, Barcelona, Lionel Messi, Gerard Pique, Copa del Rey, Sevilla, La Liga

Ryan Sidle

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