Messi scores same free-kick vs Villarreal 2 years after netting at same ground!

Villarreal do not seem to be learning their lesson when they welcome Barcelona and Lionel Messi to their Estadio de la Ceramica stadium: stop giving away free-kicks on the edge of the area.

In what finished up a thrilling 4-4 draw on Tuesday, Messi scored a vital free-kick to make it 4-3 with the clock at 90 minutes.

He thundered an effort into the top corner with his powerful left foot, avoiding the five-man yellow wall and goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo had no chance of keeping it out. But this is not the first time Messi has lit up Villarreal's home ground with a set-piece masterclass.

Flashback to Barcelona's visit south in December 2017 and the hosts once again looked set for a famous three points against the Catalan giants.

Nicola Sansone had given Villarreal a slender lead early in the second half and Luis Enrique's side looked to be heading for a rare defeat before a free-kick was awarded on the edge of the area with the game heading into stoppage time.

Messi, as he does with such regularity, lined up the strike, assessed the wall, before pulling off a sublime set-piece into the corner where the same goalkeeper - Asenjo - was standing.

Asenjo did not trust his wall, took a step to his left and that left him exposed to the right as Messi curled an effort into the corner with the goalkeeper rooted to the spot, not even diving as Barcelona's talisman was off celebrating his rescue act.

History does not often repeat itself with so many variables the same as Messi's magic in Villarreal from a set-piece.

His effort on Tuesday comes at the same stadium, against the same opposition, from the same position, in the same competition and against the same goalkeeper.

It was the third league game in a row that the 31-year-old has scored a set-piece and Villarreal fans will hope if Asenjo is in goal for the corresponding fixture next season, he and the rest of the squad avoid gifting Messi a chance to inflict further damage.

It also proved a landmark goal - his 415th in his illustrious career - as it took him past long-standing rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who has 414.

Messi reached the landmark in 446 games while Ronaldo has notched 414 in 514 matches - 68 more.

Barcelona's draw saw them remain top of La Liga, eight points clear of Atletico Madrid in second, and they have still only lost two games this season as they bid to defend their domestic title.