“In a frantic El Clásico at 3–3, Messi calmly pauses on the spot, waits for López to commit, then rolls the late penalty back across him to complete his hat-trick and restore Barça’s lead, sealing La Liga goal number 236 and career strike 384 under maximum pressure.”
In a frantic El Clásico at the Bernabéu, Messi drags Barcelona through with a decisive hat-trick and a late winning penalty, adding an assist to dominate Real Madrid and swing the title race back into play.
In a frantic El Clásico with Barcelona trailing 3–2 at the Bernabéu, Messi calmly sends Diego López the wrong way from the spot to drag his team level and move closer to a historic hat-trick and his 235th La Liga goal.
Retaking the lead from the spot at 1–1 against Osasuna, Messi calmly sends the goalkeeper the wrong way under no margin for error, a routine-looking penalty that in fact seals his 200th La Liga goal and underlines a four-goal masterclass.
At 2–2 in the 94th minute, Messi calmly buries a high-pressure penalty to restore Barça’s lead over Valencia and cap a brace, pushing his La Liga tally to 319 and career total to 523.
With Barcelona wobbling after surrendering their early lead, Messi calmly sends the keeper the wrong way from the spot to restore control against Valencia, the just-before-half-time strike doubling as his 550th career goal.