Messi threads a through ball looking to spring Dani Alves in behind, but the move is halted as Alves is flagged offside.

Messi cuts in from the left side of the box and drives a left‑footed shot that flashes just wide of the left post after an incisive pass from Iniesta.

Messi controls the ball in attack but is whistled for handball as it makes contact with his arm, stopping Barcelona’s forward momentum.

Driving forward in the attacking half, Messi’s close control draws a foul from a Rayo defender, earning Barcelona a dangerous free kick.

From a tight angle on the right, Messi lashes a left‑footed shot across goal into the bottom left corner, finishing off Dani Alves’ assist to make it 4–0.

Deep in his own half, Messi drops back to help defensively, carrying the ball under pressure until he is fouled and wins a relieving free kick.

Messi again breaks into the left side of the box and fires with his left foot, but this time his shot whistles past the right post after a setup from Thiago Alcântara.