Messi drives forward early on and is fouled in the attacking half, earning Barcelona a free kick in a dangerous area.

Messi once again carries the ball into Sporting territory and is brought down, winning another free kick in the attacking half.

Dropping deep, Messi keeps possession under pressure and is fouled in his own half, giving Barcelona a free kick in defense.

Messi splits the defense with a precise through ball to David Villa, whose right-footed shot from a tight angle flies just wide of the far post.

Mascherano looks for Messi with a through ball behind the defense, but Messi’s run is a fraction early and he is flagged offside.

Messi attempts a defense-splitting through pass toward David Villa, but Villa moves too early and is caught offside.

David Villa tries to release Messi with a through ball, yet Messi is caught beyond the last defender and the move is halted for offside.

From outside the box, Messi unleashes a left-footed effort after a pass from Adriano, but his shot is blocked by the defense.

Messi drives down the right wing and is fouled, earning Barcelona a free kick near the touchline.

Looking to slip in David Villa, Messi plays a through ball that results in Villa being flagged offside.

Messi threads another through pass toward David Villa, yet once more Villa’s run is ruled offside.

Messi meets Adriano’s cross with a header from the center of the box, but the effort is saved by the goalkeeper in the middle of the goal.

Operating on the right wing, Messi is brought down and wins another free kick for Barcelona late in the match.

Messi tries his luck from outside the box with a left-footed strike after combining with Dani Alves, but the keeper holds the shot in the center of the goal.

Immediately after, Messi slides a through ball toward Dani Alves, only for Alves to be ruled offside.

Connecting with a cross from Dani Alves, Messi’s left-footed shot from the center of the box sails high and wide of the right post.

Messi is fouled in the attacking half in stoppage time, earning Barcelona yet another free kick as they look to close out the game.

From outside the box in the dying moments, Messi’s left-footed shot is blocked by the Sporting defense before it can trouble the goalkeeper.