Messi, Griezmann, Coutinho score as Barca thrash Osasuna 4-0
By Emmanuel Awosika
Barcelona continued to show signs of improvement under Ronald Koeman after they won 4-0 against Osasuna in their Sunday La Liga game.
The match started brightly for Barcelona and the Catalan giants would have scored earlier but for Unai Garcia whose goal-line clearance stopped Phillipe Coutinho from opening the scoring.
Barca would eventually find the back of the net after Martin Braithwaite sent a rebound past Sergio Herrera after the keeper saved Coutinho’s shot.
Osasuna were unlucky to have Ante Budimir’s goal ruled out for offside after the forward’s strike managed to beat Barca goalie Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Antoine Griezmann would score some minutes later to make it 2-0 in favour of Barcelona, whipping home an empathic volley past Herrera.
Coutinho finally found the net to gift Barca a three-goal lead, scoring after Griezmann sent the ball his way following Braithwaite’s dispossession of an Osusuna player in his half.
Lionel Messi, in usual fashion, got in on the action and rifled home from the edge of the box to make it 4-0 and wrap up an empathic victory for the Blaugrana.
The forward paid tribute to late Diego Maradona with his goal celebration, pulling off his Barca shirt to reveal a Newell’s Old Boys jersey with the number 10 on it.
