Five-Star Messi

He’s the first player in the history of the Champions League to score five goals in one game 

The Argentine has scored 29 goals in the European competition 

Messi, despite his sublime display, was humble after the match: “The most important thing is that we won, that’s what we wanted”

Leo Messi wears the number 10 on the back of his jersey, but against Bayer 04 Leverkusen this evening he put in a Five Star performance. The Argentine scored five goals; two in the first half, three in the second. His brilliant display broke long-standing European records. But Messi, despite his unworldly performance, remains humble. “The most important thing is that we won, that’s what we wanted,” he said when he was told that this was the first time in a player managed to score five goals in one game. 

Here are some interesting facts and stats about Leo Messi in international competitions:

• Messi is the first player in the history of the UEFA Champions League to score five goals in one game

• He’s the first player in the history of the European Cup (in all formats) to score five goals at this stage of the competition

• The Argentine has scored 12 goals in this edition of the Champions League, the same amount that he scored last season (he was the tournaments highest goal scorer)

•It’s been a year (March 8th, against Arsenal) since Messi has scored at the Camp Nou in the Champions League

•Messi is the second Barça player in the history of the Club to score five goals in a single European match (Zaldúa did it on October 6th, 1965)

• With his five goals, Messi is only seven away from being the Club’s all-time highest scorer (235)

• He’s the first player to ever score five goals in the Champions League for a team that plays in the Spanish League 
• Messi is the 11th player to score five goals in a Champions League match (the last plaeyr to do it was Lerby, with Ajaz, in 1979 against Omonia)

• Messi’s 49 goals in the competition see him level with Alfredo Di Stefano as the sixth highest goal scorer in the history of the competition

• Of his 49 goals in the Champions League, 25 were scored at the Camp Nou, and 22 away from home; 2 of them were scored in finals 
• He’s scored 54 goals in international competitions: 49 in the Champions League, 4 in the Club World Cup and 1 in the European Super Cup

FC Barcelona 7- 1 Bayer 04 Leverkusen

FC Barcelona - Bayer 04 Leverkusen: The champions are a goalscoring machine (7-1)

Two goals from Messi put Barça 2-0 up in the first half In the first 18 minutes after the break, Barça scored another four goals Messi completed his full-house in the closing stages, and Bayer 04 scored their consolation goal in injury time 

Lionel Messi with match Ball

FC Barcelona are already in the quarter-finals of the Champions. The holders walked all over Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the second leg of the last 16 and gave them a 7-1 thrashing which, together with the 3-1 win in the away leg, gave them an overall score of 10-2. The resistance of the Germans, finalists in the competition ten years ago, lasted about 25 minutes, until Leo Messi opened his scoring account.

This Wednesday, the Argentinian broke all his scoring records: he scored five goals, an absolute record in the history of the Champions League. His full-house of goals, 2 before the break, was accompanied by two goals from Tello, who almost scored a hat-trick.

So, FC Barcelona are through to the quarters for the fifth consecutive season, and still hope to become the first holder of the Champions League to defend their crown. Meanwhile, the team are etching exhibitions like this one into the history books.

Bayer 04 come out bravely

The first half at the Camp Nou wasn't anything like the game at the BayArena. Here, as the manager, Robin Dutt, had said, Bayer 04 Leverkusen came out fighting from the opening whistle. The Germans, with nothing to lose, forgot the ultra-defensive approach of the first leg, and pressurised Barça really high up the pitch, closing down the spaces during the first ten minutes. During this time, FC Barcelona didn't even have one shot on goal, which is rare for them.

Messi scores twice

After this initial period, Guardiola's players finally managed to gain possession and push Bayer 04 Leverkusen further back, where their only opportunities would come from counter-attacks. In one of those they conceded the first goal by Messi. The Argentinian received a great pass from Xavi and took advantage of the advanced German defence to beat Leno with a fantastic chip.

After the1-0, which came just before the half hour mark, FC Barcelona had their best minutes. Fluid in the circulation of the ball, they scored the second after Mascherano won the ball and Iniesta made the final pass. ¿And the scorer? Messi again, who left Leno standing like a statue.

Cesc distributes gifts

At the start of the second half with a 5-1 overall score in the tie, one might have thought that FC Barcelona would take their foot off the throttle. Well, no. Barça came back for more and quickly got the goal they deserved. Messi's name was also on the goal, when he scored his hat-trick with another chip over the keeper, this time with his right foot after a Cesc through ball.

Cesc was also the creator of the 4-0, which came moments later, without Iniesta and Xavi on ​​the pitch, as they'd been substituted by Keita and Tello. Tello found himself on the left wing with a direct run on goal and, once in the box, beat Leno with a low shot.

More Messi, more Tello

The way Barça came out after the break promised a lot more. In 18 minutes Barça scored four goals and went an amazing 6-0 up. The fifth goal also carried Messi's seal, who took advantage of a defensive error, and Tello scored the sixth, with the help of Leno, who didn't have much success in the second half. The Camp Nou, now with Muniesa on the pitch, was one big wave of emotion, and for good reason.

Messi Full-House

It was for good reason, precisely, because Barça continued to attack again and again despite the six goals. In the closing stages, Messi became the first player in the history of the Champions League to score five goals in one game, thanks to a well placed shot from the edge of the area. Bayer 04 Leverkusen, emotionally shattered, managed to go down with honour thanks to a last ditch goal fromBellarabi. The champion had walked all over them, are now in quarters, and they want more. They're hungry.

Real Madrid 5-0 Espanyol

Real Madrid 5-0 Espanyol

Whites give sensational and thrilling performance; Higuain (2), Ronaldo, Khedira and Kaka score for the team

Real Madrid have scored 85 goals in 24 league games thanks to the five netted against Espanyol tonight, which also gave them a tenth straight victory in the championship. The Whites were superior throughout the encounter and thrilled their fans with an electrifying shower of goals at the Bernabeu.

Carvalho came on for the suspended Pepe and Real Madrid didn't have such an intense start to the match as usual, but Espanyol seemed weary and hardly managed to give two consecutive passes. Mourinho's men completely controlled the match and soon started to have chances. The first was a Ronaldo shot that grazed one of the posts (11'), followed by one by Kaka inside the box that was cleared by goalkeeper Casilla (19').

Real scored the opener two minutes later when Ozil stole the ball as Espanyol's defence had made a mess of a clearance, passed it to Higuain and the Argentine then left it for Ronaldo to nutmeg Casilla (21').

The goal spurred Real Madrid and an excellent combination between Ozil and Khedira ended in a strike by the latter that gave the locals a comfortable lead (38'). Higuain and Ronaldo nearly scored some more before half-time but were unlucky.

The second half couldn't have had a better start: Kaka entered the box after a long run and served a perfect assist for Higuain to tally the third. Espanyol completely deflated and Mourinho benched Carvalho, who already had one booking. Varane came on and Real continued to dominate the match. Casilla cleared another Ronaldo shot and the Portuguese striker later crossed the ball into the box, where it was picked up by Kaka and sent into the goal when the defence made a mess of its attempt to clear it (65').

Callejon came on for Ozil one minute later amidst exultant celebration in the stands. In the final minutes, Cristiano Ronaldo passed the ball to Morata looking to help him score, but Casilla sent the youth teamer's shot to corner (87').

FC Barcelona 3 - 1 Sporting Gijon

FCB-Sporting: Superior football (3-1)

Barça put in a gritty performance to see off an ultra defensive Sporting team despite playing most of the second half with ten men after Piqué was sent off 

Late goals from Keita and Xavi sealed the win after Iniesta had opened the scoring in the first half 

Barça chalked up their third league win on the trot after overcoming a Sporting team who'd clearly come to defend and park the bus in front of their goal right from the start. Guardiola's men were without Messi who was suspended but they had no difficulty in taking the initiative against such conservative opponents. There was plenty of controversy too, with three pretty clear penalty shouts denied the home team and a harsh looking red for Pique, but although Sporting managed a second half equaliser, Barça showed they are not just the most talented team on the planet, bit also full of steely determination, as Keita and Xavi gave them the points with two splendidly taken goals. 

Defensive set up

Clemente took an unusual tactical approach to the game, with a four man defence and man markers in midfield - a clear indication of his team's intention to defend from the off. As usual, Barça got hold of the ball and just attacked, looking sharp from the start as they tried to find a way through the wall of red and white shirts in front of them.

Deserved first half lead

It wasn't an easy job though. Pedro saw a goal disallowed on 10 minutes for off side and Adriano hit a shot wide soon after. The full backs were getting heavily involved in attack and Alves was unlucky not to be given a penalty when he was bundled over in the box. Space was a t a premium around the Sporting area, but Keita found some to shoot, only for a Sporting hand to block it. There was no penalty blown though –much to the Camp Nou crowd's disgust!

Soon after though, on 41 minutes, they were on their feet to applaud a brilliantly worked goal between Keita, Adiano and Iniesta which the Spanish midfielder slotted home for the opener.

Red card for Piqué

The goal came just at the right time – just before the break – but soon after the second half got underway the scene changed dramatically when Gerard Piqué was shown a red card on 46 minutes after he clashed with a Sporting attacker just outside the box. Clemente saw his chance and threw on top scorer David Barral, who rewarded his manager with a goal from only his second touch. Now the fans really got behind their team as the players rolled up their sleeves and fought for the points despite being a goal down.

Justice is done

Alexis came on and almost immediately fluffed a great chance, but Xavi and Iniesta were pulling the strings and more opportunities were bound to come. A third penalty was denied on 68 minutes and the volume inched higher from the crowd as they urged their team on amidst a flurry of yellow cards for the visitors.

The second goal and justice came via a beautifully flighted shot from outside the box by Keita and with the fans now revelling in the lead, Xavi rounded off the night with an exquisite chip over the keeper to make it three. The game saw Barça finish with nine men as Alexis limped off, but this was a heroic performance in which the team showed their commitment, their authority and their brilliance.