“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 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.
Against Liverpool in a Champions League semi-final, Messi’s late third for Barcelona turns a tight 2–0 into a daunting 3–0 cushion and also marks his 600th goal for the club, a mythic milestone reached on one of Europe’s biggest stages.
Against a relentless Liverpool in a Champions League semi-final, Messi doubles Barcelona’s lead to tilt the tie decisively their way, and the strike also becomes his mythical 600th goal for the club.
In a tense El Clásico Champions League semi-final deadlocked at 0–0, Messi latches onto Afellay’s low cross to break Madrid’s resistance and give Barcelona a crucial first-leg lead, on the way to a brace and his 35th Champions League goal.