Champions League: Lionel Messi Clinches Record In Landmark Match With A Goal [Video]

Lionel Messi netted a goal and also effected two assists as FC Barcelona clinched a 3-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund to qualify for the Champions League knockout stages Wednesday.

It was a milestone match for Messi, who was making his 700th appearance for the Catalan side and the goal further put Messi in the history books. Messi, who scored his 613th goal for Barca, now has scored against 34 different teams in the European premiere tournament - more than any other player in the competition.

Messi's brilliance first came in the play at the Camp Nou on Wednesday when he set up a goal for Luis Suarez in the 29th minute. The Uruguayan put Barca 1-0 up after having a goal ruled out earlier for offside. Four minutes later, Suarez returned the favor as he set up a goal for Messi, who scored his second Champions League and overall 10th goal of the 2019-20 season.

Thanks to a brilliant pass from Messi, Antoine Griezmann managed to extend the Catalans' lead to 3-0 in the 67th minute. It was a major boost for the former Atletico Madrid player, who had not scored in his previous six appearances for the club. That also recorded 236th assist for the Spanish giants.

The five-time champions produced a terrific performance and ensured Barca remained on the top of Group F with 11 points from five matches ahead of second-placed Inter Milan and Dortmund with seven points each with Slavia Praha at the bottom with only two points.

After the match ended on Wednesday, Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen heaped praise on Messi as he said, "700 matches for Barcelona is not normal and neither is what Messi did on the pitch."

"We played some good football tonight. We managed to score the first goal, which was what we intended. We hope we will be able to prove in the last group stage match that we deserve to lead the section. 700 matches for Barcelona is not normal and neither is what [Messi] did on the pitch. He is simply the best footballer in the world," Ter Stegen added in an interview with the UEFA.