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VALLADOLID, Spain (Reuters) – Barcelona adopted the style to beat Real Valladolid 3-0 as a visitor in La Liga on Tuesday when Lionel Messi scored his 644 goal to surpass Pelé as the all-time top scorer for a single club. .
Messi also finally got his first assist of the season when he brought out defender Clement Lenglet with a splendid cross and the Frenchman headed Barca ahead in the 21st minute.
The Argentine also intervened in the visitors’ second goal, putting a pass for right-back Sergino Dest to grab on the right wing and play a cross in the way of Martin Braithwaite, who sneaked in to score in the 35th minute.
Messi capped off a brilliant individual display with a splendid goal midway through the second half, running behind to receive a pass from teenager Pedri and into the far bottom corner to eclipse Pelé’s mark for Santos.
It was also a standout display from Ronald Koeman’s side, who responded to Saturday’s disappointing 2-2 draw at home against Valencia by claiming their first league win on the road since defeating Celta de Vigo on October 1.
Barça remains fifth in the standings, going to 24 points after 14 games. Atlético de Madrid lead with 32 points from 13 games after a 2-0 win over Real Sociedad on Tuesday.
“Today was a very complete performance. We needed to win this match and we did it showing some quality,” said Barça striker Lenglet.
“Today our tactics worked well and we are very happy. Our wings were able to play at the top of the field and it was a consistent performance overall, while we did not allow our opponents to have too many opportunities.”
Messi, who commented earlier this week that he sometimes struggled to motivate himself for games in the absence of fans, looked for the game from the first whistle.
The 33-year-old nearly gave Barça an early lead when he launched a shot into the upper corner only to be thwarted by a save from goalkeeper Jordi Masip.
He dictated Barca’s play throughout the match with some brilliant passing and movement, while nearly scoring a second goal in overtime as he sped up the goal but fired at the post from a tight angle.
(Reporting by Richard Martin; Editing by Ken Ferris)
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