“With Barcelona wobbling after three straight league games without a win, Messi whips a left‑footed free kick over the Athletic wall and beyond the keeper to restore a 2–1 lead, sealing the victory and marking La Liga goal number 241 of his career.”
Against Real Betis with the game still goalless, Messi whips a left‑footed free kick over the wall and into the top corner to break the deadlock, the first strike of a perfect 10/10 hat-trick and his 410th La Liga goal.
Against Almería with Barça trailing, Messi bends a first-half free kick over the wall and inside the near post, wrong-footing the keeper to haul his side level and record La Liga goal number 72.
Against Alavés with the deadlock unbroken, Messi rolls a low free kick under the jumping wall and inside the near post, wrong-footing the keeper for the eventual winner and his first goal of the 2018–19 season, career strike number 618.
Against Granada’s set wall, Messi whips a left‑footed free kick over the line and inside the near top corner to stretch Barça’s lead to 3–0, adding career goal 719 and his 455th in La Liga.