Ajax 0 - Barcelona 2

Lionel Messi was the star of the last Barcelona UEFA Champions League fixture against Ajax, both for the victory and to match the goal record set by Real Madrid Raul with a total of 71 goals in the competition.

This last victory, help ensure a place for Barcelona in the knockout stages and finished the hopes for Ajax to continue in the European League. The victory of Paris Saint-Germain over APOEL Nicosia set the top two spot in Group F.

All eyes are now fixed to when will Messi break the record after surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo in the process.

The match started with an early goal from Neymar after just three minutes, but this early lead was disallowed for offside. 

During the first half, Ajax was lively and about to take the lead with a shot fired by Lucas Andersen after a poor interception from Dani Alves. 

Ajax winger posed serious problems to Barcelona defense in the first minutes of the fixture and Davy Klaasen had his opportunity for Ajax but was stopped by Marc-Andre ter Stegen just after 26th minute.

Jordi Alba was fortunate when he seemed to block El Ghazi with his arm. However, just minutes after, Barcelona took the lead when Cillesen having blocked a free-kick from Messi, went to the left edge of the area to take a ball but was beaten by Marc Bartra who passed Messi, the Argentinian scored the first goal with his head past Ricardo van Rhijn on the line.

The Catalans improved after the half time interval and seemed sharper, with Luis Suarez having his opportunity to increase the advantage after a clever pass from Messi, but he was denied his first Barça goal against his former club where he made 159 appearances during the last four seasons.

Ajax had his opportunity to draw the match thanks to Arkadiusz Milik, but Ter Stegen was able to stop it with his right hand, after just one hour of game. But the hopes of victory for Ajax were dented after the second yellow card for Velman after bringing down Messi.

This advantage was capitalized by Barcelona when Messi scored his second goal after a Pedro’s cross from the right finishing a perfect answer after the two consecutive La Liga defeats.

Read more about March Break, Training in Barcelona, from FCB Canada.