Lionel Messi hailed Barcelona’s “great performance and result” during Tuesday’s 2-1 victory over Arsenal in the Champions League last 16.
Messi scored a second-half brace at the Emirates Stadium to get the better of Petr Cech for the first time in his career and leave Barca firmly in control of their destiny ahead of the second leg in three weeks’ time, and he was delighted his side were able to emerge victorious.
“It was a great performance from us, we got a good result against a very good team with really good players,” he said after the game, UEFA.com reports.
“The first half was very tough, they were strong but in the second half we knew they were not going to be able to keep up the pressure.
“It’s a great result away from home and a very important result, but the second leg is still to come.
“Fortunately today we were able to score from a penalty, goalkeepers study you more and more nowadays and it's harder.
“Luckily I was able to score against Petr Cech, but above all you have to highlight the great performance that we put in today, against a top team.
“I’m happy with the job everyone did. The tie is not over. We know what they are capable of. Nothing has been resolved, but it's a great result.”
