Messi’s first involvement is a misplaced low pass across the face of goal with Henry waiting at the back post, allowing Metzelder to intercept. It wastes a promising early attacking situation for Barça.

Messi draws a foul in the centre of the pitch by going down easily to ‘buy’ a free kick, showing his usual knack for winning set pieces. The commentary brands it a shameless dive.

After neat approach play from Messi, Eto’o gets a shot away that Casillas saves comfortably. Messi helps create the chance with his combination play around the box.

Chasing a long pass from Puyol, Messi collides with Casillas after the keeper miskicks his clearance, leading to a foul. It’s a chaotic clash born from Messi’s aggressive press.

Messi produces a delicate chipped pass over the defence to release Henry clean through, and Henry finishes superbly to score. It’s a classic Messi through-ball assist that slices Madrid open.

Put through on goal by Alves, Messi drives his shot straight at Casillas instead of placing it, squandering what should have been a clear scoring chance for 3–1. It’s a rare poor finish from him.

After a sublime passing move, Xavi breaks into the box and tries to square the ball back to Messi instead of shooting, but Messi is crowded out and Casillas saves. Barcelona waste yet another gilt‑edged chance.

From almost on the touchline, Messi attempts an audacious shot, narrowly missing the target. The cheeky effort underlines his confidence and imagination.

Messi exchanges a slick one-two with Xavi and then shoots with his weaker right foot, sending the effort just wide. The combination play carves Madrid open yet again.

Pressing Diarra high, Messi steals the ball, surges clear through the middle, and calmly slots past Casillas. He has all the time in the world to pick his spot and makes it 3–1 with a ruthless finish.

As Barça swarm to win the ball back, Marcelo chops down Messi and is booked. The incident highlights Messi’s relentless movement and Madrid’s struggle to contain him.

Messi drifts in behind Metzelder again, makes a mug of him, and fires a right‑footed shot from a very tight angle that goes wide, with no teammates up in support. It’s an individual effort born of his own initiative.

Messi’s run is literally stopped by the referee, who accidentally tackles him and halts a potential attack, much to the frustration of Madrid’s already despondent fans.

On the wing, Ramos wins a free kick as replays show Messi had put a hand on the referee and given him a little shove after being tackled, a rare flash of Messi’s irritation.

Eto’o squares the ball across goal to an unmarked Messi, who only needs to guide it into the net but shockingly pushes his finish wide. It’s described as a sitter and another glaring miss.

Messi humiliates Metzelder yet again with his dribbling and slips a clever pass to Iniesta, whose hesitation and extra twists allow Cannavaro to bring him down without conceding a penalty. It’s another dazzling Messi-led move that goes unrewarded.

Xavi threads a precise pass into the area where Messi ghosts between static Madrid defenders and finishes coolly from close range. In this unplayable mood he makes it 5–2 with another brilliant strike.

Even with the game effectively won, Messi is still relentlessly pressing and buzzing around Madrid’s defenders whenever Barça lose the ball, showcasing his work rate and desire.

Messi releases Eto’o down the flank, Eto’o’s cross finds Piqué, whose initial shot is blocked before he reacts and fires in on the turn. Messi’s incisive pass starts the move that leads to Barça’s sixth goal.

Bojan beats Heinze on the flank and delivers a cross that finds Messi in front of goal, but Messi again fails to make good contact and misses the chance to make it 7–2. It caps a night of brilliance mixed with a few surprising off‑target finishes.