体坛英语新闻：Messi back with a brace as Barca all but book place in quarter-finals of Spanish Cup

MADRID, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Leo Messi returned to action with two goals for FC Barcelona as his side took a big step towards the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey with a 4-0 win over Getafe in the Camp Nou Stadium.

The Argentinean entered the game as a 63rd minute substitute for his first appearance since tearing his hamstring away to Betis on November 10 last year.

Messi's goals came in the last minute of the game following great work between Sergio Busquets and Martin Montoya left him with a simple tap.

If his first goal was simple, the second, which came with the last kick of the game was a trademark goal from the striker, who collected the ball midway in the Getafe half before ripping through the visitors' defense and finishing as if the Getafe goalkeeper wasn't there to bring the Camp Nou fans to their feet cheering his name.

By the time Messi got into the game, his side were two goals ahead thanks to Cesc Fabrigas, who opened the scoring after just nine minutes and added second from the penalty spot moments.

It was a fine display from Cesc, but the last four minutes meant it was Messi who captured the headlines.

Sergio Corona put Almeria 1-0 ahead away to third tier Racing Santander, but the visitors were pegged back by a 65th minute equalizer by David Concha in a game interrupted as a sector of the Racing fans tried to invade the directors' box in protest at the club's perilous economic situation.

Earlier in the evening Athletic Club Bilbao wasted a host of chances as they lost their first leg tie 1-0 away to the bottom Betis. The Basque side had the majority of chances and Kike Sola hit the post in the closing minutes, but Ruben Castro's header towards the end of the first half separated the two teams at the end of the game.

Athletic will take heart from the fact they overcame a similar first leg results against Celta Vigo in the last round, while they have already beaten Betis 3-0 in their home ground in the league.

Former Liverpool striker Dani Pacheco scored an excellent second half free kick to give second division Alcorcon a 1-0 first leg win at home to Espanyol.

Pacheco caught Espanyol keeper, German Parreno off his line expecting a cross and instead fired in a low shot which ended up in the back of the Espanyol net.

Tuesday saw cup holders Atletico Madrid draw 1-1 away to a much improved Valencia, who equalized in the last minute through Helder Postiga after Raul Garcia had put Atletico ahead.