“From a tiny 0.055 xG chance against Betis, Messi audaciously lifts a late left‑footed lob in off the bar to complete his hat-trick and seal Barcelona’s 4–1 win, his 656th career goal and 412th in La Liga.”
Messi’s hat-trick against Real Betis, capped by an audacious chipped third goal and including a precise free-kick, turns a routine league outing into one of his most aesthetically iconic La Liga performances.
From a low-xG 0.056 chance, Messi dinks a delicate left-foot lob over the Tenerife keeper for his hat-trick, extending Barça’s rout to 4–0 and pushing his season tally to 20 goals.
From a tight central pocket with defenders closing, Messi coolly lifts a delicate lob over the advancing Levante keeper to finally break the 0–0 deadlock, his trademark left-foot touch turning this winning goal into career strike number 309.
Ronaldinho scoops a pass over the defence and Messi, almost side-on to goal, delicately lifts a first-time lob over the onrushing keeper, sealing the win and marking his very first Barcelona and La Liga goal.
From just inside the box, Messi calmly lifts a delicate left‑footed lob over the onrushing Rayo keeper to double Barça’s lead, a composed chip that also brings up his 227th La Liga goal and 373rd of his career.