On this day in LaLiga history – 10 March
On this in 2007, a 19-year-old Lionel Messi scored a late equaliser for Barcelona against Real Madrid in the El Clasico.
FC Barcelona’s striker Lionel Messi (EPA-EFE/Alejandro Garcia)
10th March: Messi bursts onto the LaLiga ElClasico stage (2007)
Time was almost up at the Camp Nou on 10 March 2007, and visitors Real Madrid looked to be about to complete a famous 3-2 LaLiga ElClasico victory despite finishing the game with just 10 men.
A 19-year-old Lionel Messi had scored twice earlier in the game for Barcelona, but a trademark header from Sergio Ramos looked to have decided the game. But Messi wasn’t finished, taking a pass from teammate Ronaldinho still 35 yards out, then instantly surging past two despairing tackles before ramming the ball across Blancos goalkeeper Iker Casillas to the net.
It had been 12 years since the last hat-trick in a LaLiga ElClasico, and Messi had become the youngest ever to score three times in the fixture. He had also announced he was ready to step up and take over from Ronaldinho as Barça’s attacking talisman.
Meanwhile, Ronald Koeman insists Barcelona can pull off another incredible comeback against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, especially if Messi plays at his sensational best.
Barca were thrashed 4-1 in the first leg of the Champions League last 16 last month but Koeman believes his team can repeat the ‘remontada’ of 2017, when they overturned a 4-0 defeat by PSG with an astonishing 6-1 victory.
Messi has been in good form with seven goals in his last seven games and Koeman believes his captain can produce something special to turn the tie.
“If Leo can play one of his best matches, everything is possible,” Koeman said. “He is the kind of player than can decide any match, at any time.”
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