Barcelona scored from a direct free kick for the first time in 867 days.
FC Barcelona defeated Real Betis 5-0 in the fifth round of the 2023/24 Spanish Primera Liga at the Estadio Benito Villamarín on Sunday.
In the match, Barcelona scored through João Felix in the 25th minute, Lewandowski in the 32nd minute, and Ferran Torres in the 17th minute. Hafinha scored in the 21st minute of the second half and João Cancelo in the 36th minute.
One of the most talked-about free kicks in the second half was by Ferran Torres in the 17th minute. Torres rattled Betis’ net with a shot that evaded the defense.
“Barcelona hasn’t scored from a direct free kick since Lionel Messi’s free kick in May 2021,” said soccer outlet Tribuna after the game, “867 days. Ferran Torres broke the curse.”
In this context, a direct free kick goal means that the free kick leaves the kicker’s foot and goes straight into the goal. 안전놀이터
Barcelona won 3-2 against Valencia in the 34th round of the Spanish La Liga on May 2, 2021. Messi took a free kick in the 23rd minute of the second half in front of the penalty box.
Messi’s free kick just cleared the defense and went straight into the goal. It was so sharp that the goalkeeper stretched out his hands to no avail. That was the last time Barcelona scored from a direct free kick.
Barcelona hadn’t scored a direct free kick in 867 days since Messi left the team. With the win, Barcelona broke a negative streak that had been hurting the team’s pride.