Lionel Messi scored his fastest league goal as a substitute as his strike 136 seconds after coming on inspired Barcelona to a 3-2 victory over Real Betis on Sunday.
Messi was among several key players rested, with Ronald Koeman seemingly prioritizing Wednesday’s Copa del Rey semifinal against Sevilla ahead of Barca’s fading title challenge in La Liga.
Defeat would have called that decision into question but Messi drove in an equalizer less than three minutes after coming on in the second half and then helped set up Francisco Trincao to score a late winner, the 21-year-old’s first goal for Barcelona.
“He changed the game,” said Koeman, when asked about Messi.
“It’s a bit a…
Keep on reading: Super-sub Messi leads Barcelona comeback against Betis