Chinese striker Wu Lei secures win for Espanyol upon return

Espanyol's Chinese striker Wu Lei (R) scores in a La Liga match against Alaves in Barcelona, Spain, June 13, 2020. /VCG

Espanyol's Chinese striker Wu Lei scored in the 47th minute in his team's 2-0 victory over Alaves on their return to the Spanish top-flight football league.

The win was crucial for Espanyol to secure their spot in the La Liga, as they dangle on the edge of demotion to the second division.

Wu's performance was sharp and he seemed unaffected by his bout of COVID-19 for which he tested positive in March. He was among six players from Espanyol diagnosed with the virus.

He played a big role in perhaps the most important moment of the game when he hurried Alaves keeper Fernando Pacheco into a mistake in the 18th minute, resulting in the goalkeeper being sent off.

Pacheco came to collect a long ball aimed at the Chinese striker, but made a terrible error of judgment and caught the ball outside his area, earning an automatic red card and leaving his side to play over 70 minutes with ten men.

Espanyol's Chinese striker Wu Lei (R) in action during a La Liga match against Alaves in Barcelona, Spain, June 13, 2020. /VCG

Wu then had a goal ruled out for handball himself before applying a cool finish from a one-on-one early in the second half. In between, Bernardo Espinosa put Espanyol in front just before the break.

"He was decisive," said Espanyol coach Abelardo Fernandez when asked about Wu in post-game interviews.

"He caused the sending off and he scored the second goal. He did everything we asked him to do, he stretched their defense. He did his job perfectly."

On January 4, Wu became the first Chinese player to score against Barcelona in all competitions.

Lionel Messi of Barcelona (R) in action during a La Liga match against Real Mallorca in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, June 13, 2020. /VCG

Elsewhere, Lionel Messi scored and grabbed two assists as La Liga leaders Barcelona eased to a 4-0 win away to struggling Real Mallorca.

Barca got off to a flying start when Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal scored with a diving header in the second minute, while Danish international Martin Braithwaite scored his first goal for Barca later in the first half.

Jordi Alba then added a third in the 79th minute after latching on to a through ball from Messi, who had also set up Braithwaite's goal. The Argentine then completed the scoring with a deflected strike in stoppage time.

The win takes Barca to 61 points after 28 games, five clear of nearest challengers Real Madrid, who host Eibar on Sunday in their first game back.

(With input from agencies)