“Against Arsenal in a Champions League knockout tie already tilting Barcelona’s way, Messi calmly sends the goalkeeper the wrong way from the spot to seal a dominant 4–0 lead and complete a ruthless brace, his 33rd goal in the competition and 188th of his career.”
A ruthless brace in a high-pressure Champions League knockout tie, including a nerveless penalty, sees Messi dominate Arsenal over 90 minutes and drive Barcelona into the quarter-finals as undisputed man of the match.
Against seven-time European champions Milan in a tense quarter-final deadlock, Messi calmly sends the keeper the wrong way from the spot to launch Barcelona’s 3–1 win and quietly reach 50 goals in the Champions League.
With Barcelona needing four more goals in the historic 6–1 comeback, Messi calmly buries a high-pressure penalty to restore the lead at 2–1 against PSG, pushing the remontada back on course and taking his Champions League tally to 94.
Against Real Madrid in an El Clásico Supercopa final, Messi calmly converts from the spot to double Barcelona’s lead under rivalry pressure, marking his 75th career penalty and 13th goal in the competition.
Against Milan in a tense quarter-final deadlock, Messi calmly sends the goalkeeper the wrong way from the spot to restore Barça’s lead before halftime and bring up his 51st Champions League goal.