Messi wins a free kick in the attacking half after drawing a foul, giving Barcelona an early set-piece opportunity near Rayo’s area.

Messi latches onto a through ball from Cesc Fàbregas and fires a right‑footed shot from the centre of the box that crashes off the right post.

From outside the box, Messi unleashes a left‑footed effort that is blocked by the Rayo defence before it can test the goalkeeper.

After a pass from Adriano, Messi strikes a right‑footed shot from outside the box that is saved in the top right corner by the goalkeeper.

Messi breaks free on the right and hits a left‑footed shot from a tight angle, but the keeper saves low at the bottom right corner after a headed pass from Dani Alves.

Messi opens his account with a precise left‑footed strike from outside the box into the bottom right corner, finishing coolly after a through ball from Cesc Fàbregas.

On a swift counterattack, Messi drives forward and sets up Alexis Sánchez, who finishes with a right‑footed shot from the centre of the box into the bottom right corner.

Messi, picked out by Andrés Iniesta, fires a left‑footed shot from the centre of the box that goes just wide to the left of the goal.

Messi adds another with a composed left‑footed finish from the centre of the box into the bottom left corner, calmly converting Alexis Sánchez’s assist.

Messi leaves the pitch to warm applause as Cristian Tello comes on to replace him for the final minutes.