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Result: Messi breaks Pele's record as Barcelona sweep aside Real Valladolid

Result: Messi breaks Pele's record as Barcelona sweep aside Real Valladolid
© Reuters
The Argentinian's second-half goal saw him overtake the landmark set by the Brazilian with Santos.

Lionel Messi eclipsed Pele's long-standing record of goals for a single club with his 644th strike for Barcelona in the 3-0 LaLiga win at Real Valladolid.

Messi's second-half goal saw him overtake the mark which the Brazil great had amassed over 19 seasons for Santos.

Clement Lenglet's header from Messi's cross had given Barcelona the lead after 21 minutes, with Martin Braithwaite, given a start ahead of Antoine Griezmann, knocking in a second before half-time.

Ronald Koeman's men closed out for a first away LaLiga win since the start of October to sit fifth in the table, eight points behind leaders Atletico Madrid, who had earlier won at third-placed Real Sociedad.

Messi eyed an early chance to break the record during the opening exchanges at Estadio Jose Zorrilla, his curling shot from the edge of the penalty area dropping just wide.

The Argentina playmaker saw another effort tipped over by Valladolid goalkeeper Jordi Masip before Barcelona took the lead in the 21st minute.

Messi was the creator this time, floating a cross into the centre of the penalty area, where Lenglet powered a header into the net.

The Barca players used the goal celebration by holding up a shirt to pay tribute to right-back Moussa Wague, the 22-year-old having suffered a serious knee injury while playing on loan at Greek club PAOK.

Before Valladolid could regroup, the home side found themselves 2-0 down after 25 minutes.

Messi held off three opposition players before feeding the ball down the right for Sergino Dest and his low cross was slid past Masip by Braithwaite.

Barcelona maintained their momentum at the start of the second half, as Braithwaite stabbed an early chance wide.

At the other end, Pablo Hervias' angled free-kick was just off target of Marc-Andre ter Stegen's goal.

Masip then denied Messi again as the hour mark approached with another decent reaction save.

Barcelona's talisman, though, got his record-breaking goal after 65 minutes when played in by a neat backheel from Pedri.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi (right) scores a goal
Lionel Messi was on target in the second half to set a new goalscoring record (Cesar Manso/Pool via AP)

Despite the scoreline, Valladolid came to life again as substitutes Fabian Orellana and Kike Perez both forced Ter Stegen into action.

Barca substitute Philippe Coutinho drilled a low, 20-yard effort against the base of the post.

Valladolid were again saved by the woodwork in stoppage time when Messi charged through, only to see his angled shot come back of the upright.

The Argentina playmaker looked determined to increase his record tally, but Masip produced another fine save to keep the scoreline down.

ID:427692:cQx

How you voted: Real Valladolid vs Barcelona

Real Valladolid
9.0%
Draw
13.5%
Barcelona
77.6%
156
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Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone pictured in November 2020
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Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Atletico MadridAtletico1714213372644
2Real Madrid18114330151537
3Barcelona18104437172034
4Villarreal198922819933
5Sevilla1810352316733
6Real Sociedad1986529161330
7Granada198472331-828
8Real Betis198292432-826
9CadizCadiz196671724-724
10Getafe186571618-223
11Celta Vigo196582330-723
12Levante185762526-122
13Athletic Bilbao186392122-121
14Valencia194872526-120
15EibarEibar194781620-419
16Real Valladolid194781827-919
17AlavesAlaves194691725-818
18ElcheElche173861623-717
19Osasuna193791628-1216
20Huesca191991429-1512

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