Not only did he score the first Champions League goal of the season, but Lionel Messi also equaled Raul Gonzalez’s record for goals scored in consecutive seasons and set a new record for CL hat-tricks.
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Messi equals Raul’s record for goals scored in consecutive seasons
Raul held the record by scoring in 14 consecutive Champions League seasons, a record Messi tied with another majestic free kick against PSV Eindhoven last night. For thirty minutes, Barcelona struggled to find a way past Mark van Bommel’s resilient bunch and then Messi stepped up to the plate. Dembele was fouled, giving the Argentinian maestro a free kick from around 25 meters out. He caressed the ball, set it up and curled an ideal strike into the corner of the net. All Jeroen Zoet could do was helplessly watch as the ball nestled behind him.
“We needed to unclog the match. It was masterful.” – Ernesto Valverde
Indeed it was. Lionel Messi is only 31, so he’ll undoubtedly break Raul’s record next season.
Messi sets record with eighth Champions League hat-trick
Messi didn’t stop there. He added two more to complete a hat-trick and show everyone he’s taking things seriously this season. It was his eighth CL hat-trick, one more than his eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo. That record is his now, at least for the time being. His second goal was his 100th in the Champions League. With 101 total goals scored, Leo Messi is 19 behind Juventus’ new superstar. Last night was also the eighth time Messi had scored directly from a free-kick in 2018. Never before he had done that and there are three more months remaining on the calendar.
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Dembele scores again, Umtiti sent off
History aside, Barcelona ended up winning 4-0. Ousmane Dembele was the other goalscorer. The Frenchman has now found the net in four straight games and is finally beginning to show his worth. At the other end of the spectrum, Samuel Umtiti was sent off for a second booking offense and will miss the Catalans’ trip to Wembley as a consequence.