Ajax 0-2 Barcelona: Messi equals Raúl’s goal-scoring record
Full-time: Ajax 0-2 Barcelona
Goals: Messi (36′, 65′)
Match date: November 5, 2014
Stadium: Amsterdam Arena
Competition: UEFA Champions League
Barcelona line-up: Bravo, Jordi Alba, Bartra, Mascherano, Daniel Alves, Busquets, Xavi, Rakitic, Neymar, Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez.
Barcelona are through to the UEFA Champions League knock-out stages, after wrapping up the 3 points this Wednesday night in Amsterdam, in a away fixture against Ajax. Luis Enrique‘s men had a few problems in handling Ajax‘s dynamics and enthusiasm throughout several periods of the game, but after the half-time break, the Blaugranas finally settled in and started dominating the possession as they like doing.
Luis Suárez made his third straight appearance in a Barcelona jersey, but it seems it still wasn’t meant for him to score his first official goal for his new club. Just like Neymar, the Uruguayan striker didn’t find the back of the net in Amsterdam, leaving that particular task for their teammate Lionel Messi.
The Argentinian scored his first brace of the season in the competition, which not only allowed Barcelona to secure these important 3 points against Ajax, but also for him to equal Raúl‘s all-time goal-scoring record in the UEFA Champions League, currently set in 71 goals. With Raúl already retired, the only real threat for this particular record is now Real Madrid‘s Cristiano Ronaldo, who has netted 70 goals throughout his career so far.
Barcelona will now host Almería next Saturday, in a game scheduled for the 4PM in Spain (GMT+1). The Blaugranas are currently sitting in 4th place in La Liga, after having lost the leadership last weekend following their 0-1 loss against Celta de Vigo at the Camp Nou.
Sources: fcbarcelona.com / dailymail.co.uk