Messi is involved early when a foul is whistled against Leo Baptistão of Rayo Vallecano, highlighting a physical start to the match.

Messi carries the ball out of pressure and wins a free kick in Barcelona’s defensive half, helping his team relieve Rayo’s early press.

Messi cuts in from the left side of the box and fires a left‑footed shot that flies high and wide, just missing after being set up by Xavi.

From a corner situation, Messi swings in a precise cross that finds Pedro in the centre of the box, but Pedro’s header drifts just wide to the right.

Messi takes on a direct free kick from long range on the right, his left‑footed effort bending close but missing to the left of the goal.

Messi doubles Barcelona’s lead, timing his run into the centre of the box and finishing with a left‑footed shot into the top‑right corner after a low pass from Martín Montoya.

Messi creates space on the left side of the box and shoots with his left foot, but the effort drifts just wide of the right post.

Driving at the Rayo defence, Messi wins a free kick in the attacking half, keeping Barcelona on the front foot.

From outside the box, Messi unleashes a powerful left‑footed strike that is headed for the top‑left corner, but the Rayo goalkeeper tips it away.

Messi threads a clever through ball towards Alexis Sánchez, but the move is halted when Alexis is flagged offside, nullifying the chance.

Messi lets fly with a left‑footed shot from outside the box after a layoff from Alexis Sánchez, but the attempt sails high and wide to the left.

In the final minute, Messi angles a right‑footed shot from a tight position on the right that finds the centre of the net, finishing off the rout after a pass from Cesc Fàbregas.