Highlights: Ajax 0-2 Barcelona - Lionel Messi equals Raul's Champions League record

Lionel Messi and Pedro celebrate Barcelona’s second goal against Ajax

Barcelona have made their way into the knockout stages of this year’s Champions League as a result of their comfortable 2-0 victory against Ajax at the Amsterdam Arena.

Lionel Messi got the first goal for the Catalans with an opportunistic header nine minutes before the half-time break, and finished the game off fifteen minutes from the end by prodding in Pedro Rodriguez’s low cross.

His second goal on the night was also his 71st Champions League Goal, making him stand alongside Raul as the most prolific goalscorer in Europe’s premier club competition.

The Dutch side put up a brave display, and had more possession as well as shots on goal before Messi’s header got the scoring underway, and will regret not getting more out of the game before Barcelona got into full stride.

Ajax played the last 20 minutes of the game without dismissed centre-back Joel Veltman, and finally got off lightly courtesy a few squandered golden opportunities from the visiting side.

Luis Suarez was given a brilliant through-ball by Messi which got him one-on-one with the Ajax goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen, but the Dutch international came out on top on that occasion. Suarez still needs time to fit into the potentially lethal three-man attack alongside Messi and Neymar. Messi himself had several chances to complete a hat-trick as well.

Highlights

Ajax 0-1 Barcelona: Messi (36’)

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Ajax 0-2 Barcelona: Messi (76’)