Marcus Rashford was one of many standout performers in FC Barcelona‘s title-clinching win over Actual Madrid on Sunday, opening the scoring with a shocking free kick. Past the importance of the purpose itself, Rashford’s strike introduced an finish to Lionel Messi‘s distinction as the one Barcelona participant to attain a direct free kick in opposition to Actual Madrid within the twenty first century.
With Lamine Yamal sidelined by harm and Raphinha nonetheless working his method again to full health, coach Hansi Flick turned to Rashford as a starter on the best wing. The Englishman had final began in La Liga again on April 4 in opposition to Atletico Madrid, when he additionally scored, and Flick’s religion was rewarded virtually instantly.
After Antonio Rudiger fouled Ferran Torres on the sting of the field, Rashford stepped as much as take the free kick from the best aspect. Opting to drive the ball towards Thibaut Courtois’s close to put up, Rashford caught the Belgian goalkeeper with a step to his left, and the thunderous effort was unattainable to cease, opening what would change into a 2-0 victory in simply the ninth minute.
In doing so, Rashford ended Messi’s distinctive standing as the only real Barcelona participant to attain a direct free kick in opposition to Actual Madrid within the twenty first century. Messi had achieved that feat twice throughout his time on the membership, making the file all of the extra unique.
As highlighted by OptaJose on X (previously Twitter), Rashford’s effort was the third free kick purpose Barcelona have scored in opposition to Actual Madrid on this century, and the primary since October 2012, when the earlier one had additionally are available in a La Liga fixture at Camp Nou.
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Since Messi’s departure in 2021, Barcelona have transformed simply three direct free kicks from over 100 makes an attempt, with Ferran Torres, Robert Lewandowski and Pablo Torre every netting one. Rashford’s purpose brings that tally to 4, a determine that underscores the numerous drop in free kick precision the membership has skilled for the reason that Argentine’s exit.
Messi’s free kick targets in opposition to Actual Madrid
Lionel Messi is presently closing in on the highest tier of all-time free kick goalscorers, with 71 to his identify and only one behind Juninho Pernambucano for a spot within the high three. Two of these targets got here in opposition to Actual Madrid whereas sporting the Barcelona shirt.
The primary arrived within the Spanish Tremendous Cup in August 2012, when Messi curled a shocking long-range free kick previous Iker Casillas on the Santiago Bernabéu within the second leg, with Barcelona claiming the trophy. The second got here simply two months later in a La Liga match at Camp Nou, in a 2-2 draw during which each Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo every scored a brace.
