La Liga: Messi, Fati Lead 10-Man Barcelona To Victory Against Celta

Barcelona forwards delivered again as Lionel Messi and Ansu Fati led them to a 3-0 victory at Celta Vigo in La Liga on Thursday, despite Clement Lenglet being sent off in the first half.

AllNews reports that Barcelona has not conceded in two La Liga fixtures this season.

After scoring twice in Barca's opening game of the season, Fati struck early at a blustery Balaidos, only for Lenglet to collect a second yellow card in the 42nd minute for pulling back Denis Suarez.

READ ALSO: Barcelona Thrashed Villarreal With Ansu Fati's Brace, Messi Scored At Camp Nou

But even down to 10, Ronald Koeman's side was undeterred and Messi made the lead more comfortable shortly after half-time, his weaving run and shot diverted in for an own-goal by Lucas Olaza.

Celta hit the crossbar but never really threatened a comeback and when the ball spilled loose after another Messi dash in injury-time, Sergi Roberto made sure of the points.

❝It's a great win.❞
— @RonaldKoeman

Post-game live on Barça TV+
▶️ https://t.co/v28AM27Zzq pic.twitter.com/zkOxTE49rT

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 1, 2020

"We did a great job," said Koeman.

"I'm very proud of this team, we worked hard, played with a lot of discipline with a man less and even then we made the best chances.

"I'm very, very happy."

The victory makes it two wins out of two for Barcelona, who began by thrashing Villarreal 4-0 on Sunday yet this was arguably a more impressive performance, and not just because of the numerical disadvantage.

Fati dazzled again. The 17-year-old continued his brilliant start to the season with another smart finish and he offered the kind of pace and penetration that this team so often lacked last term.

Philippe Coutinho, meanwhile, looked back to the Coutinho of old. Deployed in a more central attacking position in Koeman's 4-2-3-1 system, the Brazilian was aggressive without the ball and adventurous with it.

He was unlucky not to score in the second half when his shot cannoned back off the post.

Perhaps most encouraging for Koeman was seeing the likes of Fati and Coutinho shine on a night when, in truth, Messi was not at his best, even if his display included two superb runs, both of which led to goals.