Champions League: Messi scores his 100th European goal as 10-man Barcelona brush aside Olympiakos


BBC | Published: October 19, 2017 12:10:01 | Updated: October 25, 2017 05:24:11


Messi becomes only the second player to reach three figures in European competition. Photo courtesy: BT sport

Lionel Messi on Wednesday scored his 100th European goal as Barcelona made light of Gerard Pique's red card to brush aside Olympiakos in the Champions League.

The Argentine, 30, whipped a free-kick through goalkeeper Silvio Proto's gloves to score the hosts' second after Dimitris Nikolaou's own-goal opener.

Messi then set up Lucas Digne for a third before Nikolaou's fine header grabbed a late consolation.

Pique had been shown a second yellow for a handball just before the break.

The central defender instinctively bundled the ball into the Olympiakos goal with his forearm when Gerard Deulofeu's shot was parried into his path five yards out.

He protested his innocence to Scottish referee Willie Collum but rightly received his first Champions League red card.

Messi becomes only the second player after Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo to reach three figures in European competition.

Ronaldo has 112 goals in 151 games in continental competition. Messi's century has arrived in 122 games.

Share if you like