With pressure mounting late in the game, Lionel Messi once again proved that he is built for the biggest stages. Barcelona had their backs against the wall at the Camp Nou, trailing Alavés 0–1 into the second half. But when the team needed a savior, Messi stepped up, as he so often does. His stunning free-kick in the 84th minute turned the game around and secured a 2–1 comeback victory. Moments like this continue to stir excitement across platforms like Cricket Exchange, where fans dissect his brilliance with every touch.
After scoring the match-winning goal, Messi ran toward the corner flag with a fist pump, but his face remained emotionless—as if scoring such a goal was just another day at the office. That strike marked his 20th La Liga goal of the season and his 212th in 200 home appearances at Camp Nou, where he seems to thrive as if playing in his own backyard. Notably, this was his 21st free-kick goal in La Liga, making him the most prolific free-kick scorer in the league over the past 25 years—surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo by one.
It wasn’t an easy night for Messi. Early in the match, Alavés focused their tactics on shutting him down. He was forced to drop deeper to pick up the ball, and the pressure from the opposition disrupted his usual rhythm. There were a few rare miscontrols, but Messi, true to form, grew stronger as the game progressed. His late-game magic came from a free-kick near the right edge of the penalty area. The Argentine struck the ball with precision and confidence, sending it curling into the top-right corner. Though the Alavés goalkeeper guessed correctly and even got a fingertip on the shot, the placement was simply too good, grazing the post on its way in.
This was not the first time Messi had been denied by the woodwork. In fact, this season alone he has hit the frame 16 times—13 of those in La Liga—setting a two-decade record. In two matches this season, against Betis and Deportivo, he even managed a hat trick of shots off the post. Had even a fraction of those gone in, his goal tally would be soaring even higher, further widening the gap on the top scorer chart.
The Spanish media was quick to respond. Mundo Deportivo noted that although Messi’s overall play wasn’t his sharpest, he once again delivered when it mattered most. That’s what separates superstars from the rest—finding solutions when others cannot. In matches both big and small, Messi refuses to hide. He’s always ready to change the game with a moment of magic.
Barcelona’s earlier struggles made the win even more significant. Down by a goal in the 23rd minute, they fought to equalize through Suárez in the 72nd. Just when it looked like the match would end in a draw, Messi delivered the final blow. For fans around the world following on Cricket Exchange, it was yet another reminder that when Messi is on the pitch, Barcelona is never truly out of the game.
As the final whistle blew, one phrase echoed louder than the rest: with Messi on the field, Barcelona’s victory is always within reach. And for those watching closely on Cricket Exchange, it’s these moments that keep the legend alive.