Messi slips a pass to Kevin-Prince Boateng on the right, whose shot is saved in the centre of the goal. It’s an early incisive through ball showing Messi’s vision.

Messi plays a through ball looking for Kevin-Prince Boateng, but the striker makes his run too early and is flagged offside. The move shows Messi trying to unlock Valladolid’s back line.

Messi feeds Ousmane Dembélé in the box, but Dembélé’s right-footed effort from the centre is blocked by the defence. Messi again creates danger with a neat assist into traffic.

Messi wins a free kick in the attacking half after being fouled, giving Barcelona a set-piece opportunity in a dangerous area. His movement draws Valladolid’s defenders into a risky challenge.

Receiving the ball from Carles Aleñà outside the box, Messi unleashes a left-footed shot that is blocked by a defender. The effort comes from distance as he looks to beat Masip from range.

Messi has a left-footed shot from outside the box blocked after being set up by Kevin-Prince Boateng, then moments later sees a right-footed attempt from the centre of the box also shut down. Valladolid crowd him quickly to deny space for a clear strike.

Messi combines with Ousmane Dembélé in the area and fires a left-footed shot from the centre of the box, but again a defender gets in the way to block. Barcelona’s captain keeps probing but finds a packed Valladolid defence.

From the penalty spot, Messi calmly slots a left-footed shot into the bottom right corner to put Barcelona 1–0 up. His composed finish sends Jordi Masip the wrong way and breaks the deadlock before halftime.

Messi meets Jordi Alba’s cross with a left-footed shot from the centre of the box, forcing a save high in the middle of the goal. Masip reacts sharply to deny what looked a certain second for Barcelona.

Dropping deep, Messi slips a pass to Kevin-Prince Boateng, whose right-footed shot from outside the box flies high and wide. The move shows Messi orchestrating attacks from midfield.

Messi latches onto Ousmane Dembélé’s pass in the box and fires a left-footed shot from the centre that goes just wide of the left post. It’s a clear chance that narrowly escapes the frame.

Messi commits a foul in midfield, breaking up play as Valladolid try to transition. His aggressive pressing shows his work rate off the ball.

Twice in quick succession Messi crafts danger: first his left-footed strike from outside the box, set up by Ousmane Dembélé, is saved low to the bottom right by Masip; then he threads a through ball to Luis Suárez, whose shot is saved in the bottom left corner. Messi drives the attack with shot and killer pass.

Messi is shown a yellow card after a foul, a rare booking that underlines the tense, physical nature of the contest. The caution slightly tempers his freedom in challenges for the remainder of the match.

From Carles Aleñà’s layoff, Messi drives a left-footed shot from outside the box that curls just wide of the left post. Soon after he sets up Luis Suárez, whose effort from the centre of the box misses to the right. Messi alternates between shooter and creator on the edge of Valladolid’s area.

Messi finds Sergi Roberto outside the box, and Roberto’s right-footed shot whistles just wide to the left. The pass again shows Messi’s vision to pick out a late runner.

Messi’s second penalty of the night is struck low towards the bottom right corner, but Jordi Masip guesses correctly and makes a strong save to deny him. Moments later, Messi’s header from the centre of the box is also saved high in the middle, leaving him frustrated as Valladolid’s keeper repeatedly stands tall.

Late in the match, Messi takes on a shot from outside the box after being set up by Ivan Rakitić, his left-footed effort bending just wide to the left. It’s another near miss as he keeps pushing for a second goal.