- Lionel Messi scored twice against Chelsea to reach another career milestone
- Messi’s brace meant he achieved the 100 goal landmark in just 123 appearances
- It is 14 games fewer than it took Cristiano Ronaldo (137) to reach his century
Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has hit another milestone after reaching 100 goals in the Champions League.
The Argentine scored twice against Chelsea on Wednesday, on both occasions showing his penetrative qualities to roll the ball through Thibaut Courtois’ legs.
Messi’s brace meant he achieved the landmark in just 123 appearances, 14 games fewer than it took Cristiano Ronaldo (137) to reach his century.
Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has now scored 100 goals in the Champions League
The Argentine scored twice against Chelsea on Wednesday – both through the keeper’s legs
Messi achieved the landmark in just 123 appearances, 14 games fewer than Cristiano Ronaldo
His first of the game came after two minutes and eight seconds, the quickest goal of his career.
A slice of fortune inadvertently turned the ball to Luis Suarez to lay it on for Messi to take aim.
The angle was not favourable and it was on his weaker right foot, but none of that matters when it is Messi behind the shot.
He simply shot through Courtois and into the corner of the net. Immediately Chelsea’s plans were undone by the man they would have undoubtedly spent the week planning to nullify.
Messi then set up Ousmane Dembele for his first goal for Barcelona, before striking the dagger in Chelsea’s heart with his second of the evening and 100th in the competition.
Antonio Conte’s men did not pull any punches and went down fighting, but Messi was ultimately the difference as Barca comfortably strolled into the next round with a 3-0 victory at the Nou Camp.
After the match Conte heaped praise on Messi but insisted his side can take some positives away from the defeat.
Messi’s brilliance saw Barcelona cruise past Chelsea and into the quarter finals
‘I think tonight in this two legs against Barcelona Messi made the difference,’ he told BT Sport.
‘We are talking about the best player in the world. I think over the two legs we were unlucky, we hit the post four times and in our best moments they scored.
‘We had chances but we didn’t take them. We are talking about a player that scores 60 goals every season (Messi), we are not talking about a top player but a super top player, he made the difference but at the same time we have no regrets.
‘I must be pleased by my players’ commitment, I am proud as they gave everything tonight.
Antonio Conte praised Messi afterwards and said he was the player who ‘made the difference’
