La Liga result: Lionel Messi surpasses Pele record as Barcelona cruise past Real Valladolid
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Updated 22/12/2020 at 23:09 GMT
La Liga, Estadio Municipal Jose Zorrilla - Real Valladolid 0 Barcelona 3 (Lenglet 21', Braithwaite 35', Messi 65')
Lionel Messi of Barcelona celebrates with Pedri after scoring his sides third goal as Javier Sanchez of Real Valladolid reacts during the La Liga Santander match between Real Valladolid CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Municipal Jose Zorrilla
Image credit: Getty Images
Lionel Messi scored his 644th goal for Barcelona to surpass Pele’s long-standing record for the most goals for one club in a 3-0 win over Real Valladolid.
Antoine Griezmann and Sergio Busquets dropped to the bench as Ronald Koeman opted for a back three of Ronald Araujo, Clement Lenglet and Oscar Mingueza for the trip to the Jose Zorrilla.
The system worked well as Barcelona took control of the contest after 21 minutes, with Lenglet getting on the end of a Messi cross into the box to head home the opener. And Martin Braithwaite doubled his side’s advantage by converting a Sergino Dest cross on 35 minutes.
Messi made sure of the points in the second half, finishing with his left foot after being expertly played through by Pedri. It was a historic goal that saw the 33-year-old claim another piece of history.
Koeman’s side came into this match having won just once away from home in La Liga this season, but turned in one of their best performances of the campaign so far to lift themselves up to fifth place in the table.
TALKING POINT - Miralem Pjanic was the difference for Barcelona
Eyebrows were raised when the Barcelona lineup was published and three centre backs were included. Miralem Pjanic’s inclusion was also notable and the Bosnian certainly justified his selection with an exceptional performance.
Pjanic has been vocal in his belief he deserves more game time and this display supported his argument well. The tempo was much higher from Barca in the centre of the pitch and much of this was down to the former Juventus man.
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MAN OF THE MATCH - Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Another game, another piece of history for the great man. Messi has struggled for his best form this season, but he still took his chance to surpass Pele’s long-standing record for the most goals for a single club.
The 33-year-old shone throughout and could have scored a second in stoppage time when he struck the post. Messi has not smiled much this season, but there was a grin on his face this evening.
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Martin Braithwaite of Barcelona celebrates with teammates after scoring their team's second goal during the La Liga Santander match between Real Valladolid CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Municipal Jose Zorrilla
Image credit: Getty Images
PLAYER RATINGS
Real Valladolid - Masip 8, Hervias 6, Sanchez 5, Joaquin 5, Nacho 4, Jota 5, Michel 5, Alcaraz 6, Plano 5, Weissman 4, Andre 4. Subs - Mesa 6, Orellana 6, K. Perez 5, L. Perez 5, Villa 3, Guardiola 3.
Barcelona - Ter Stegen 8, Dest 7, Araujo 6, Mingueza 7, Lenglet 7, Alba 7, Pjanic 8, De Jong 8, Pedri 8, Messi 9, Braithwaite 6. Subs - Coutinho 3, Umtiti 3, Busquets 4, Firpo 5.
KEY MOMENTS
21’ GOAL! Real Valladolid 0-1 Barcelona: Real Valladolid - Masip, Hervias, Sanchez, Joaquin, Nacho, Jota, Michel, Alcaraz, Plano, Weissman, Andre. /// Barcelona - Ter Stegen, Dest, Araujo, Mingueza, Lenglet, Alba, Pjanic, De Jong, Pedri, Messi, Braithwaite.
35’ GOAL! Real Valladolid 0-2 Barcelona: It's a second Barcelona goal! Messi flicks the pass out to Dest, he gets to the byline and cuts back the cross for Braithwaite who sticks out a leg and converts into the back of the net from inside the six-yard box!
65’ GOAL! Real Valladolid 0-3 Barcelona: There's the third Barcelona goal of the night and the points are in the bag now! De Jong passes to Pedri, the teenager flicks the ball into Messi's path and the Argentine finishes into the back of the net with his left foot! Done and dusted.
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Messi
Image credit: Getty Images
KEY STATS
Lionel Messi has now scored 644 goals for Barcelona, more than any player has scored for a single club in history.
Messi has provided 16 assists in La Liga in 2020, nine more than any other player in that period of time.
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