Messi threads a through ball looking for Neymar, but the move is cut short when Neymar is flagged offside. The early pass shows Messi trying to unlock Rayo’s high line in the opening minutes.

Messi makes a run to the right side of the six-yard box and fires a right-footed shot, but Toño saves it in the center of the goal. Neymar’s pass creates the chance, yet Messi is denied from close range.

Messi carries the ball forward in the attacking half and draws a foul, earning Barcelona a free kick in a dangerous area. His control under pressure forces Rayo to stop him illegally.

Iniesta tries to release Messi with a through ball, but Messi’s run is just mistimed and he is caught offside. The duo’s attempted combination nearly breaks Rayo’s line.

Iniesta once again seeks Messi with a through ball, but the Argentine is ruled offside as he looks to get in behind. Barcelona continues to test Rayo’s defensive line with Messi’s runs.

Messi opens the scoring with a left-footed finish from the center of the box, guiding the ball into the middle of the net. Gerard Piqué provides the assist, setting up Messi after a quick transition.

Deep in his own half, Messi keeps the ball under control and draws a foul, winning a free kick in the defensive zone. His close control helps Barcelona relieve pressure from Rayo’s press.

Messi attempts another through ball, this time for Munir, but the young forward is flagged offside. Messi keeps probing with incisive passes behind the defense.

From a direct free kick outside the box, Messi curls a left-footed effort that just sails over the bar. The shot beats the wall but misses the target by a small margin.

Messi gets on the end of a pass from Jérémy Mathieu in the right side of the six-yard box and hits a right-footed shot that is blocked. The close-range chance is snuffed out by Rayo’s defense.

Messi swings in a cross from the right that finds Ivan Rakitić, whose right-footed shot from the right side of the box is saved by Toño. Messi’s delivery creates a clear opening for his teammate.

Receiving a pass from Xavi, Messi fires a left-footed shot from the center of the box that just clears the crossbar. It’s a big chance that narrowly misses, keeping the scoreline unchanged.

Again set up by Xavi, Messi tries a right-footed effort from the center of the box but sends it over the bar. In quick succession, he misses another promising opening.

Messi unleashes a left-footed shot from outside the box that is blocked after being laid off by Sergio Busquets. Rayo’s defenders step out quickly to close him down.

In the dying moments, Piqué picks out Messi, who shoots left-footed from the center of the box but sends the ball too high. Barcelona’s talisman comes close to a second goal but can’t keep the effort down.