Messi comes off the bench in the second half, replacing Arturo Vidal to try to rescue Barcelona. His entrance injects urgency and creativity into Barça’s attack.

Messi threads a through ball that sends Coutinho in behind, but the move is halted for offside. It’s an early sign of Messi’s intent to unlock Athletic’s defense with passes.

Messi drives forward and wins a free kick in the attacking half after drawing a foul from an Athletic defender. The play pushes Barcelona higher up the pitch.

From outside the box, Messi unleashes a left-footed shot that is blocked by the packed Athletic defense. His effort reflects Barcelona’s growing pressure.

Messi finds space in the center of the box and shoots with his left foot, but the attempt is blocked before it can test the goalkeeper. Athletic’s defenders close him down quickly.

Messi almost levels the match, hitting the left post with a left-footed shot from the center of the box after combining with Jordi Alba. The rebound falls kindly, but Barcelona cannot immediately capitalize.

Messi tries again from outside the box, sending a left-footed shot just wide to the left after receiving the ball from Ousmane Dembélé. The effort underlines his constant shooting threat.

Messi cuts in from the right and fires a left-footed shot that is saved in the center of the goal, following a pass from Luis Suárez. The rebound sets up the equalizer moments later.

After his shot is repelled, Messi keeps the play alive and sets up Munir El Haddadi, who finishes from close range to make it 1-1. Messi’s quick reaction and precise layoff rescue a point for Barcelona.

Deep in his own half, Messi carries the ball and draws a foul to win a defensive free kick, easing pressure on Barcelona in the closing minutes. It’s a small but important act of game management.