Marcus Rashford Breaks Barcelona’s Free-Kick Monopoly Against Real Madrid—What Messi Never Achieved in Decades

Marcus Rashford was one of the standout performers in FC Barcelona‘s title-clinching win over Real Madrid on Sunday, opening the scoring with a stunning free kick. Beyond the significance of the goal itself, Rashford’s strike brought an end to Lionel Messi‘s distinction as the only Barcelona player to score a direct free kick against Real Madrid in the 21st century.

With Lamine Yamal sidelined through injury and Raphinha still working his way back to full fitness, coach Hansi Flick turned to Rashford as a starter on the right wing. The Englishman had last started in La Liga back on April 4 against Atletico Madrid, when he also scored, and Flick’s faith was rewarded almost immediately.

After Antonio Rudiger fouled Ferran Torres on the edge of the box, Rashford stepped up to take the free kick from the right side. Opting to drive the ball toward Thibaut Courtois’s near post, Rashford caught the Belgian goalkeeper with a step to his left, and the thunderous effort was impossible to stop, opening what would become a 2-0 victory in just the ninth minute.

In doing so, Rashford ended Messi’s unique status as the sole Barcelona player to score a direct free kick against Real Madrid in the 21st century. Messi had achieved that feat twice during his time at the club, making the record all the more exclusive.