Two goals, one assist - Messi shines in his record game for Barcelona

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Lionel Messi (l.) Cheers with Sergiño Dest

Photo: ANDER GILLENEA / AFP

FC Barcelona will not let go in the fight for the Spanish championship.

The Catalans celebrated an impressive 6-1 win against fifth-placed Real Sociedad at the end of the 28th matchday of the Primera División.

Lionel Messi became the sole record player with his 768th competitive game for Barcelona in front of club legend Xavi.

Messi contributed two goals and one assist to the win.

According to data service provider Opta, no player in the five major European leagues has been involved in more goals in 2021 than the six-time world footballer (16 goals, 7 assists).

With leaders Atlético Madrid previously beating CD Alavés 1-0, Barcelona remain four points behind the Madrilenians in second place.

The goals started shortly before the end of the first half.

Antoine Griezmann scored with a margin for the lead against his youth club (37th).

Before the half-time whistle, Barcelona followed suit.

Messi passed Sergiño Dest in the penalty area and the full-back hit from a tight angle to make it 2-0 (43rd).

The second half started as the first had left off.

This time Jordi Alba played a pass into the six yard area from the baseline and Dest scored his second goal (53rd).

Three minutes later it was Messi's turn.

Sergio Busquets played a lifter in the top and Messi put the ball past keeper Remiro in the goal to make it 4-0 (56th).

The preliminary decision had been made, but Barcelona had discovered the joy of scoring goals.

A goal from Ousmane Dembélé was disallowed according to the TV images (67th), but only four minutes later the former Dortmund dribbled again into the penalty area and scored the fifth goal with a low shot (71st).

Real Sociedad's Ander Barrenetxea scored with a beautiful shot from 16 meters to make it 5-1 (77th).

The final point was set by Messi, who pushed in from eleven meters to the final score (89th).

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