Messi is whistled for a handball in the opening stages as Barcelona try to build an attack. The infringement briefly halts Barça’s momentum in Espanyol’s half.

Messi threads a through ball looking for Luis Suárez, but the move is stopped when Suárez is flagged offside. The promising attacking sequence is cut short before Messi’s pass can create a clear chance.

Driving at Espanyol’s defense, Messi wins a free kick in the attacking half after being halted by a foul. His close control forces the hosts to break up the move illegally.

Messi again draws a foul in the attacking half, earning Barcelona another dangerous free kick. His movement between the lines keeps Espanyol’s defenders under constant pressure.

From a direct free kick outside the box, Messi’s left‑footed strike beats the wall and crashes off the crossbar with the goalkeeper beaten. It’s the closest Barça come to scoring in the first half.

Messi is fouled yet again in Espanyol’s half, securing another free kick for Barcelona. His persistent probing runs continue to draw defensive challenges.

Following a corner, Messi picks out Andrés Iniesta on the edge of the box, but Iniesta’s left‑footed shot drifts just wide of the right post. The clever layoff nearly produces the opener.

Messi attempts another through ball for Luis Suárez, but the Uruguayan is again caught offside. Barcelona’s attack is stopped before Suárez can latch onto Messi’s pass.

Messi cuts in from the left side of the box and unleashes a left‑footed shot that is blocked by the defense. Espanyol throw bodies in the way to deny him a clear sight of goal.

Receiving a pass from Neymar, Messi strikes a left‑footed shot from outside the box that is saved centrally by Pau López. The goalkeeper reads it well to keep the score level.

On the right wing, Messi is brought down and wins a free kick after trying to advance along the touchline. His wide positioning continues to draw fouls in dangerous areas.

Late in the match, Messi’s direct free kick from outside the box curls just wide of the right post. His precise left‑footed effort has Pau López beaten but narrowly fails to find the target.