Sanchez double puts Barca in driving seat - 7M sport

Sanchez double puts Barca in driving seat



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Posted Wednesday, February 15, 2012 by YAHOO Sport

Two goals from Chile forward Alexis Sanchez helped Barcelona to a 3-1 first-leg win at Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday that put the holders firmly in the driving seat in their Champions League round of 16 tie.

Barca, who are now unbeaten in 13 Champions League games and have scored in 28 consecutive matches in the competition, grabbed the lead in the 41st minute after a brilliant left-footed flick by Lionel Messi sent Sanchez racing through on goal.

The hosts levelled after 52 minutes when Michal Kadlec climbed high at the far post to nod in a cross from Vedran Corluka but Cesc Fabregas sent Sanchez charging clear again before he rounded the keeper to score in the 55th.

Messi then converted a right-wing cross for the third goal in the 88th minute as Barca avenged their 2001 defeat by Leverkusen, the last German club to beat them.

Leverkusen, without injured playmaker Michael Ballack, knew they would have to chase the Spaniards for the ball and with 80 percent possession in the first half the visitors set the tone.

The Germans managed to keep Barca’s scoring chances to a minimum until Messi sprang the offside trap and Sanchez ran on to slot the ball between the legs of keeper Bernd Leno.

Leverkusen perked up in the second half and Kadlec’s header gave them hope.

Sanchez then beat Leno from a tight angle after dribbling round the keeper before Gonzalo Castro’s low drive was expertly tipped on to the post by Barca keeper Victor Valdes who followed up by stopping a diving header from Stefan Kiessling.

Messi also hit the woodwork but the World Player of the Year finally put the game beyond Leverkusen with his late goal.



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