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Real Valladolid logo
La Liga | Gameweek 15
Dec 22, 2020 at 9pm UK
Jose Zorrilla
Barcelona logo

Real Valladolid
0 - 3
Barcelona


Fernandez (77')
FT(HT: 0-2)
Lenglet (21'), Braithwaite (35'), Messi (65')
Alba (62'), de Jong (68')

Messi breaks Pele's record as Barcelona sweep aside Real Valladolid

The Argentinian's second-half goal saw him overtake the landmark set by the Brazilian with Santos.

Lionel Messi eclipsed Pele's long-standing record of goals for a single club with his 644th strike for Barcelona in the 3-0 LaLiga win at Real Valladolid.

Messi's second-half goal saw him overtake the mark which the Brazil great had amassed over 19 seasons for Santos.

Clement Lenglet's header from Messi's cross had given Barcelona the lead after 21 minutes, with Martin Braithwaite, given a start ahead of Antoine Griezmann, knocking in a second before half-time.

Ronald Koeman's men closed out for a first away LaLiga win since the start of October to sit fifth in the table, eight points behind leaders Atletico Madrid, who had earlier won at third-placed Real Sociedad.

Messi eyed an early chance to break the record during the opening exchanges at Estadio Jose Zorrilla, his curling shot from the edge of the penalty area dropping just wide.

The Argentina playmaker saw another effort tipped over by Valladolid goalkeeper Jordi Masip before Barcelona took the lead in the 21st minute.

Messi was the creator this time, floating a cross into the centre of the penalty area, where Lenglet powered a header into the net.

The Barca players used the goal celebration by holding up a shirt to pay tribute to right-back Moussa Wague, the 22-year-old having suffered a serious knee injury while playing on loan at Greek club PAOK.

Before Valladolid could regroup, the home side found themselves 2-0 down after 25 minutes.

Messi held off three opposition players before feeding the ball down the right for Sergino Dest and his low cross was slid past Masip by Braithwaite.

Barcelona maintained their momentum at the start of the second half, as Braithwaite stabbed an early chance wide.

At the other end, Pablo Hervias' angled free-kick was just off target of Marc-Andre ter Stegen's goal.

Masip then denied Messi again as the hour mark approached with another decent reaction save.

Barcelona's talisman, though, got his record-breaking goal after 65 minutes when played in by a neat backheel from Pedri.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi (right) scores a goal
Lionel Messi was on target in the second half to set a new goalscoring record (Cesar Manso/Pool via AP)

Despite the scoreline, Valladolid came to life again as substitutes Fabian Orellana and Kike Perez both forced Ter Stegen into action.

Barca substitute Philippe Coutinho drilled a low, 20-yard effort against the base of the post.

Valladolid were again saved by the woodwork in stoppage time when Messi charged through, only to see his angled shot come back of the upright.

The Argentina playmaker looked determined to increase his record tally, but Masip produced another fine save to keep the scoreline down.

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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CReal Madrid34276174225287
2GironaGirona35236675443175
3Barcelona34227570432773
4Atletico MadridAtletico34214963392467
5Athletic Bilbao341710755332261
6Real Sociedad341412848351354
7Real BetisBetis34131384339452
8Valencia34138133739-247
9Villarreal34129135658-245
10Getafe341013114147-643
11AlavesAlaves35119153440-642
12Sevilla341011134546-141
13Osasuna34116173751-1439
14Las PalmasLas Palmas34107173043-1337
15Celta Vigo34810164052-1234
16Rayo Vallecano34713142743-1634
17Mallorca34614142740-1332
18CadizCadiz34414162349-2626
19Granada3449213664-2821
RAlmeria34211213367-3417


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