“Against hosts United States in the Copa América Centenario semi-final, Messi’s strike doubles Argentina’s lead and effectively kills the contest, while also marking his 50th goal of a relentless season and underlining his dominance in a man-of-the-match masterclass.”
In the Copa América Centenario semifinal on U.S. soil, Messi took control of the host nation’s dream run and crushed it with one of his most commanding displays for Argentina. His outrageous long-range free kick, plus two incisive assists, not only sent Argentina to the final but also showcased him as the undisputed leader of the national team at a time when his international legacy was still being questioned.
Against Liverpool in a Champions League semi-final, Messi’s late third for Barcelona turns a tight 2–0 into a daunting 3–0 cushion and also marks his 600th goal for the club, a mythic milestone reached on one of Europe’s biggest stages.
In a Copa América quarter-final Argentina already lead 2–0 when Messi caps a dominant captain’s display with a stoppage-time third against Ecuador, sealing a 1+2 masterclass and pushing his international tally to career goal 748 and Copa América goal 13.
Against a relentless Liverpool in a Champions League semi-final, Messi doubles Barcelona’s lead to tilt the tie decisively their way, and the strike also becomes his mythical 600th goal for the club.
In a tense El Clásico Champions League semi-final deadlocked at 0–0, Messi latches onto Afellay’s low cross to break Madrid’s resistance and give Barcelona a crucial first-leg lead, on the way to a brace and his 35th Champions League goal.