Lionel Messi scored the 700th goal of his career with a Panenka penalty in Barcelona’s La Liga draw with Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.
The Spanish giants’ all-time top scorer hit the landmark goal for club and country by gently chipping the ball into the net as Jan Oblak dived the wrong way.
The goal had put Barcelona 2-1 up but Atletico hit back to draw 2-2.
Barca remain second, one point behind Real Madrid, who have a game in hand.
Messi’s penalty was also his 630th goal in his 724th appearance for the club.
The Argentina star played a part in the opener for Barcelona when his whipped corner hit Diego Costa and deflected into the back of the net.
Former Chelsea striker Costa quickly had the chance to make amends when Atletico were awarded a penalty after Yannick Carrasco was fouled inside the box.
Costa stepped up to take the spot kick only to see it saved by Marc-Andre ter Stegen, but it had to be retaken because the Barcelona goalkeeper had come off his line early. Saul Niguez took the second penalty and sent Ter Stegen the wrong way.
Messi restored Barcelona’s lead and reached his career milestone with his cheeky Panenka – named after Antonin Panenka’s famous penalty for Czechoslovakia in the final of the 1976 European Championship – but Niguez equalised again with another penalty as Barca dropped points which could cost them dear in the title race. ♦
(The story originally published by BBC)
