Messi wins a free kick in the attacking half after driving at Málaga’s defense, setting up an early Barcelona set-piece chance.

From a set-piece situation, Messi strikes a left-footed shot from outside the box that flies just wide to the left, narrowly missing the target.

Messi cuts in from the right side of the box and fires a low left-footed shot into the bottom left corner, restoring Barcelona’s lead at 2–1.

Messi commits a foul late in the first half, halting Málaga’s buildup and drawing the referee’s attention in a physical midfield battle.

Early in the second half, Messi drops deep and wins a free kick in his own half after shielding the ball from pressure and drawing a foul.

Driving down the right wing, Messi beats his marker and earns a free kick as Málaga’s defender is forced into a foul to stop his run.

Messi is penalized for dangerous play while challenging for the ball, momentarily slowing Barcelona’s momentum in attack.

Messi once again wins a free kick in the attacking half, wriggling past defenders before being brought down near Málaga’s area.

Messi commits another foul in midfield, interrupting Málaga’s attempt to break forward during the closing stages.

Messi is substituted off after 78 minutes, making way for Víctor Sánchez as Guardiola refreshes Barcelona’s lineup with the game under control.