Messi is whistled for a foul early on as he battles for the ball, halting a potential attacking move in Espanyol’s half.

Messi is penalized for a handball while trying to control a pass, stopping play just as Barcelona look to build an attack.

Xavi slides a through ball toward Messi, but Leo makes his run too early and is caught offside, nullifying the attack.

Messi carries the ball out of pressure in his own half and wins a free kick, relieving Espanyol’s press on Barcelona’s defense.

Messi commits another foul shortly after, breaking up play as Espanyol try to transition forward.

Messi unleashes a left‑footed shot from outside the box that whistles just wide of the left post after being set up by Pedro.

Messi threads a pass to Thierry Henry outside the area, but Henry’s right‑footed shot is blocked by the Espanyol defense.

In the closing moments, Messi is again called for a foul, disrupting Espanyol as both sides push for a late winner.