Lionel Messi's brace helped Barcelona claim the 2021 Copa del Rey title with a 4-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao in the final on Saturday.

The Blaugrana scored four goals in 12 second-half minutes to hand Athletic their second Copa del Rey final defeat in the past 14 days. The Basque side lost the long-delayed 2020 final to Real Sociedad 1-0 on April 3.

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After a cagey first half, Barcelona opened the scoring on the hour mark through Antoine Griezmann, who turned in Frenkie de Jong's cross after slipping in front of a defender at the near post.

Barca added a second two minutes later when De Jong headed in a sumptuous cross from Jordi Alba. The Netherlands midfielder took advantage of the defence tracking a run at the near post to convert from close range.

Messi added a third with a sensational effort in the 68th minute. After picking up the ball near midfield, Messi exchanged passes with teammates and ghosted by defenders before outfoxing two defenders in the box and coolly slotting home from close range.

He completed the scoring five minutes later when he popped up in the box and guided a Alba cross off Athletic keeper Unai Simon and into the net.