#45Career AssistLegendary
“At 1–0 down in stoppage time of a Champions League semi-final, Messi’s perfectly weighted layoff at the edge of a packed Chelsea box unlocks the only shooting lane Iniesta needs, turning looming elimination into a last-gasp equalizer and his 45th career assist.”
Last MinuteKnockout Stage
Year2009
UCL#7
2008/09'#18
2009#195
UCL · SF · 2nd Leg2009-05-06 · 19:45:00
Chelsea1-1
Barcelona1A
In a tense Champions League semi-final, 21-year-old Messi drops deep as Barcelona’s creative hub, threading the crucial pass for Iniesta’s stoppage-time equaliser that keeps their treble chase alive and breaks Chelsea hearts at the death.
Minute93'
Score
1-0→1-1
xG
—
Impact
Equalizer
Scorer: Andrés Iniesta
Similar Assists
Assist#349
2022
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.
Knockout Stage
@
Croatia0–3
Dec 13Assist#183
2015
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.
Knockout StageLast Minute
vs
Bayern Munich3–0May 6Assist#251
2018
At 1–1 in a World Cup knockout thriller against France, Messi’s quick-thinking touch and stabbed pass through a crowded box create the deflected opening for Mercado to restore Argentina’s lead, marking career assist number 251.
Knockout Stage
@
France4–3
Jun 30Assist#213
2016
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.
Knockout Stage
@
United States0–4
Jun 21Assist Sequence
No data
ReceiptCarryDribbleShotUnder PressureWith ballPass
ReceiptCarryDribbleShotPass
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