Messi at the double as improved Barca beat Girona in friendly

Soccer Football - Pre Season Friendly - FC Barcelona v Girona - Johan Cruyff Stadium, Barcelona, Spain - September 16, 2020 Barcelona's Lionel Messi in action with Girona's Bernardo Espinosa, Alex Granell and Enric Franquesa REUTERS/Albert Gea

BARCELONA (Reuters) - Lionel Messi scored twice as Barcelona eased to a 3-1 victory over Girona in their second pre-season friendly under Ronald Koeman on Wednesday.

Philippe Coutinho struck the crossbar early on before giving Barca the lead midway through the first half, tapping into an empty net after brilliant link play between Messi and new signing Francisco Trincao.