In the opening minutes, Messi’s direct free-kick from outside the box flies too high over the Espanyol goal.

Messi slips a pass to Sergio Busquets, whose left-footed shot from outside the box is saved low in the bottom left corner.

Messi unleashes a left-footed shot from outside the box, but the effort is blocked by the Espanyol defence.

Again from distance, Messi’s left-footed strike from outside the box is blocked before it can test the goalkeeper.

Messi drives a left-footed shot from outside the box that is saved in the centre of the goal after a headed layoff from Sergio Busquets.

From the centre of the box, Messi’s left-footed effort is blocked after he receives the ball from Gerard Piqué.

Messi threads a pass to Paulinho, whose right-footed shot from outside the box drifts wide to the left.

After winning a free kick in the attacking half, Messi’s subsequent direct free-kick from a wide, long-range right-sided position goes just over the bar.

Messi breaks into the right side of the box and shoots with his left foot, but the attempt is saved low in the bottom right corner.

Taking a crucial penalty, Messi’s left-footed shot towards the bottom right corner is saved, denying Barcelona a key equaliser.

Moments after the missed penalty, Messi hits another left-footed shot from outside the box, but it is blocked by defenders.

Messi is caught offside as he tries to latch onto a through ball from Aleix Vidal, halting a promising attacking move.