While most of Europe (but not the U.S.) was fixated on PSG-Liverpool on Wednesday, Lionel Messi was creating his usual magic in the Netherlands.
Barcelona failed to score in the first hour against PSV Eindhoven, which had just one point through four Champions League matches coming into Wednesday. Then Messi took over and before you knew it the Blaugrana had a 2-1 victory.
Messi notched his 106th Champions League goal in the 61st minute. Demanding the ball near midfield, Messi immediately turned and whizzed past Gastón Pereiro. Messi then knocked the ball ahead to Ousmane Dembélé, who charged toward the box before a deft lay-off back to Messi.
The rest was vintage Messi, the Argentine magician dancing around four defenders before smashing a shot off the near post and in.
MESSI. Who else?
— Bleacher Report Live (@brlive) November 28, 2018
Just another brilliant goal to add to Leo Messi’s collection
( U.S Only) pic.twitter.com/hJAqRKmVko— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 28, 2018
Nine minutes later, Messi put the game away by sending a free kick into the box that was met by Gerard Piqué to make it 2-0.
Messi and Piqué are out here playing chess Barcelona goes up 2-0
— Bleacher Report Live (@brlive) November 28, 2018
PSV did get a late consolation goal through Luuk de Jong, but couldn’t complete the fight-back. With Tottenham’s 1-0 win over Inter Milan, PSV was doomed to a last-place finish in Group B.
PSV gets one back late
Watch the final minutes NOW: https://t.co/qeBncACrfu pic.twitter.com/TLdQuN2AJz— Bleacher Report Live (@brlive) November 28, 2018
Barcelona finishes the group stage with a home date against Tottenham while PSV takes on Inter, which is currently tied for second with Spurs.