Lionel Messi has scored 601 career goals. None have come earlier in a game than this one.
The FC Barcelona forward scored the opening goal Wednesday in his team’s UEFA Champions League Round of 16 game against Chelsea. Messi’s shot from an unexpected angle beat Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois through the legs just 128 seconds into the contest.
Messi’s goal against Chelsea was the fastest of his career, which includes FC Barcelona and Argentina’s national team, according to Opta.
Barcelona opponents’ strategies often center around containing Messi, so it’s unsurprising he hasn’t scored earlier in a game.
Perhaps the pregame “tifo” display fans Barcelona fans hung in Messi’s honor prompted him to do something extraordinary by his own phenomenal standards.
Ousmane Dembele doubled Barcelona’s lead in the 20th minute with this impressive goal.
Barcelona leads the game 2-0 and the series 3-1 on aggregate in the second half.
