Who is first Barcelona player since Lionel Messi in 2012 to score free-kick against Real Madrid?
(Courtesy :Â LaLiga)
Rashford led Barca to a 2-0 win over Madrid.
One of the best players in FC Barcelona’s championship-winning victory over Real Madrid on Sunday was Marcus Rashford. He opened the score with a spectacular free kick.
In addition to the goal’s importance, Rashford’s goal was special for another reason. Since October 2012, he is just the first Barcelona player to score from a free kick against Real Madrid. Before him, it was the great Lionel Messi.
Rashford was chosen by coach Hansi Flick to start on the right wing. Flick’s optimism was almost immediately rewarded as the Englishman scored in the most important game.
Rashford moved up to take the free kick from the right side after Antonio Rudiger fouled Ferran Torres on the edge of the box. In just the ninth minute, Rashford decided to smash the ball toward Thibaut Courtois’s near post and caught the Belgian goalkeeper, who made a move to his left.
Rashford becomes the first Barca player since Messi to score a free kick in El Clásico
By accomplishing this, Rashford became the first Barcelona player since Lionel Messi to score a direct free kick against Real Madrid. Messi accomplished that feat twice while a member of the team, making the record even more remarkable.
Marcus Rashford’s attempt was Barcelona’s third free-kick goal against Real Madrid in this century. It was also the team’s first since October 2012, when it had also occurred in a LaLiga match at Camp Nou.
Out of over 100 tries, Barcelona have only converted three direct free kicks since Messi’s departure in 2021; Ferran Torres, Robert Lewandowski, and Pablo Torre have each scored one. With Rashford’s goal, the total now stands at four, which highlights the club’s notable decline in free-kick accuracy since the Argentine’s departure.
When was the last time a Barca player scored a free-kick against Madrid before Rashford?
Lionel Messi in 2012.
How many free-kicks Barca have scored since Messi’s exit?
Four free-kicks.
How many free-kicks Barcelona players have scored against Real Madrid this century?
Three.
For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Telegram.
After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.