“At 2–0 in a tense World Cup qualifier Argentina dare to counter, and Messi’s perfectly timed release sends Di María clear to seal a vital 3–0 win and mark assist number 222 of his career.”
With Argentina under pressure after a loss in a turbulent World Cup qualifying campaign, Messi calms the nerves with a stunning free-kick opener and then engineers the win with two precise assists, single-handedly lifting his team in a must-respond home fixture against Colombia.
At 2–0 up in a World Cup semi-final against Croatia, Messi’s twisting run on the right pulls Gvardiol apart and carves out the byline angle for Álvarez to tap in, sealing the final spot and logging career assist 349.
At 2–0 in a Champions League semi-final against Bayern, Messi threads a stoppage-time pass that releases Neymar to seal a 3–0 first-leg cushion, capping his masterclass with career assist number 183.
In a 5–0 El Clásico demolition already at 2–0, Messi’s perfectly timed through ball slices Real Madrid open for Villa to make it three, capping a masterclass in control and vision on the way to his 65th career assist.
At 3–0 in a Copa América semi-final, Messi threads a late pass that slices open the tiring U.S. back line, springing Higuaín to seal a 4–0 rout and cap one of his most dominant tournament displays, adding career assist No. 213 and his 27th of the season.