Lionel Messi scores massive 700th career goal with cheeky panenka vs Atletico; watch video

Barcelona captain Lionel Messi reached ar career milestone even though his club faltered yet again in LaLiga. Argentine maestro bagged his 700th career goal on Tuesday night (Wednesday IST) after he scored a cheeky panenka against Atletico Madrid. Lionel Messi's strike from spot just minutes after second half started. His goal handed Barcelona advant in tie, but Atletico found a way back to game to earn a well-deserved draw. 

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Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid highlights: Lionel Messi 700 goals

Tuesday night's LaLiga game was quite a back-and-forth affair as Barcelona took lead twice only to see Atletico claw ir way back in match. Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa scored an unfortunate own goal to give Barcelona lead. Costa n went onto fluff his line from spot. However, penalty was retaken after VAR to spotted Marc-Andre ter Stegen straying off his line. This time, Saul Niguez stepped up to calmly dispatch ball into back of net to level  game.

Early in second half, Barcelona were awarded a penalty of ir own after Filipe brought down a marauding Nelson Semedo in box. Naturally, Lionel Messi stepped up to take decisive penalty. Despite nerves being high as ever, diminutive forward showed composure as he went for a cheeky panenka down middle, forcing Jan Oblak to an early dive. With ball in back of net, Barcelona had restored ir lead while ir captain was celebrating his career milestone.

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Lionel Messi 700 goals: 630 for Barca, 70 for La Albiceleste

Lionel Messi is just  seventh player in history to reach score 700 career goals. Messi has scored 630 of m in 724 games for Barcelona, while he found net 70 times for Argentina in 138 appearances. He joins his arch-rival, Cristia Ronaldo, in 700 goals club. Cristia Ronaldo achieved milestone in October 2019 when he scored for Portugal during ir 1-2 loss to Ukraine. 

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Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid highlights, LaLiga standings

Barcelona's lead, however, did t last long as a third penalty was awarded in game when Nelson Semedo turned hero to villain and fouled Yannick Carrasco in box. Saul Niguez stepped up for second time and just mand to squeeze his shot through hands of Ter Stegen. Despite having bulk of possession, Barcelona failed to force a winner, falling furr behind Real Madrid in race for LaLiga title. game ended in a 2-2 draw.

draw means, Barcelona failed to close gap on Real Madrid, who can w go four points clear of Catalan side if y win ir game against Getafe on Thursday night (Friday IST). 

Also Read | Lionel Messi 700 Goals In Career, Barcelona Held 2-2 By Atlético Madrid

(Im Credits: LaLiga Twitter Handle)