“In a frantic El Clásico at 3–3, Messi calmly pauses on the spot, waits for López to commit, then rolls the late penalty back across him to complete his hat-trick and restore Barça’s lead, sealing La Liga goal number 236 and career strike 384 under maximum pressure.”
In a frantic El Clásico at the Bernabéu, Messi drags Barcelona through with a decisive hat-trick and a late winning penalty, adding an assist to dominate Real Madrid and swing the title race back into play.
In a frantic El Clásico with Barcelona trailing 3–2 at the Bernabéu, Messi calmly sends Diego López the wrong way from the spot to drag his team level and move closer to a historic hat-trick and his 235th La Liga goal.
Retaking the lead from the spot at 1–1 against Osasuna, Messi calmly sends the goalkeeper the wrong way under no margin for error, a routine-looking penalty that in fact seals his 200th La Liga goal and underlines a four-goal masterclass.
With Barcelona wobbling after surrendering their early lead, Messi calmly sends the keeper the wrong way from the spot to restore control against Valencia, the just-before-half-time strike doubling as his 550th career goal.
At 2–2 in the 94th minute, Messi calmly buries a high-pressure penalty to restore Barça’s lead over Valencia and cap a brace, pushing his La Liga tally to 319 and career total to 523.