Messi double helps Barca thrash Espanyol

Lionel Messi scored twice as Barcelona came from behind to beat Espanyol, who finished the first leg of their Copa del Rey last-16 tie with nine men.

Felipe Caicedo put the visitors ahead after good play by Marco Asensio.

Messi equalised and then put Barca ahead with a fantastic 25-yard, off-the-bar free-kick, before setting up Gerard Pique to slide in a third.

Espanyol had Hernan Perez sent off for two bookings and Pape Diop for dissent before Neymar hit a brilliant volley.

The Brazilian`s goal - which probably sealed the tie - came after a one-two with Messi, who played a first-time pass over the defence for Neymar to smash home.

It is the second of three Barcelona derbies in 11 days, with the teams meeting again in the second leg next Wednesday. They drew 0-0 in the league on Saturday.

Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal made their debuts six months after joining Barcelona after the club were finally allowed to register them following a transfer ban. -BBC