“Against Colombia in a tense World Cup qualifier, Messi pounces on a loose rebound near the penalty spot, staying upright in traffic and side-footing a calm left-foot finish through bodies to pull Argentina level at 1–1, marking career goal 222 and his sixth in qualifiers.”
With Barcelona still locked at 0–0 against lower-league Benidorm, Messi calmly pounces on a late rebound from close range to finally break the deadlock and secure the Copa del Rey tie, marking career goal number 63.
Against Peru in a Copa América quarter-final, Messi darts across the box from Riquelme’s pass and, with his body almost facing away from goal, hooks a left-foot finish back across the keeper to double Argentina’s lead and open his Copa América account.
With Porto’s keeper rushing out after a defensive mix-up, Messi calmly drags the ball around him and finishes from a tight central angle to break the deadlock in the Super Cup final, sealing his first goal in this competition and career strike number 201.
Against Ecuador in a key World Cup qualifier, Messi meets a square pass in stride and, with his body almost side-on to goal, threads a calm left-foot finish just inside the post to cap Argentina’s flowing move and register career goal 276.