As an award-winning sports journalist with extensive experience, I have covered a wide array of sports…ranging from tiddlywinks to women mud wrestling in Alabama. Yet, what I witnessed during the match between Barcelona and Bayer Leverkusen is something I have never seen before and likely never will again.
In a spectacular display, Lionel Messi became the first player in UEFA Champions League history to score five goals in a single game, leading Barcelona to a stunning 7-1 victory over Bayer Leverkusen at Camp Nou, securing a 10-2 aggregate win in the round of 16.
The match was heavily lopsided, to the point of being absurd. Messi scored the most exquisite goals with what seemed like minimal effort. The teamwork displayed by Barcelona made it an absolute delight to watch.
The World Player of the Year showcased an extraordinary performance, netting two goals before halftime and three more in the second half, with substitute Cristian Tello adding two goals in between Messi’s brilliance.
Although the Bundesliga side managed a late consolation with Karim Bellarabi’s remarkable long-range goal, the night undoubtedly belonged to the 24-year-old sensation from Rosario.
Leverkusen arrived in Catalonia feeling optimistic after achieving their third consecutive Bundesliga victory over the weekend.
A convincing 2-0 win against Bayern Munich had enhanced the club’s hopes for qualifying for the Champions League next season, and despite facing significant underdog status in their quest to reach the quarter-finals, they hadn’t completely abandoned the idea of extending their stay in the competition this year.
However, it became clear that their hopes were dashed as early as the 25th minute when Xavi and Messi combined brilliantly, with the midfielder delivering a perfectly weighted chip over the halfway line. Messi expertly collected it and executed a cheeky lob over the goalkeeper’s left shoulder.
Just three minutes before the interval, Messi added a second goal, showcasing his trademark skill by elegantly weaving inside after receiving a pass from Andres Iniesta to finish left-footed, bringing the score to 2-0 on the night and 5-1 on aggregate.
The second half mirrored the first, as Cesc Fabregas produced a pass similar to Xavi’s initial assist, lofting the ball over Leverkusen’s high defensive line. Messi seized the opportunity and chipped the goalkeeper again in the 49th minute, making it 3-0.
Substitute Tello scored the fourth goal in the 55th minute, receiving a through ball from Fabregas on the left and finishing accurately with his right foot.
Just three minutes later, the humiliation continued, with Messi netting his fourth, delicately placing the ball in off the post.
Tello then bagged his second soon after the hour mark, enjoying an absurd amount of space before being found by Dani Alves, which allowed him to side-foot the ball home with precision.
Messi capped off his historic night by scoring his fifth goal with just five minutes remaining, curling in a left-footed strike with remarkable ease, bringing his tally to 12 goals in just seven European appearances this season.
by Buford Balony
