Lionel Messi has broken Raul's record as the top goalscorer in Champions League history after scoring in Barcelona's game away at APOEL this evening, with the Blaugrana leading their Cypriot opponents 2-1 at half time.
© Getty Images
The visitors were dominant from the off, with Dani Alves weaving his way into the box before pulling the ball back to Luis Suarez in the sixth minute, but the Uruguayan's shot was blocked and turned behind.
Suarez troubled the APOEL defence again following Messi's pass from out wide, but Urko Pardo thwarted the former Liverpool striker's effort.
Barca eventually broke the deadlock in the 27th minute when Suarez picked up the ball on the edge of the box before turning and rifling a drilled effort past Pardo, the 27-year-old netting his first competitive goal for the Blaugrana.
Five minutes later, Alves handled the ball, earning him a caution that means he is suspended for the match against Paris Saint-Germain next month.
With seven minutes left in the first half, Messi doubled his side's lead when he seized on Rafinha's shot to deflect the ball into the opposite direction to deceive the keeper.
This was the Argentine's 72nd goal in the competition, ensuring that he is now the top scorer in Champions League history in the process.
Giuseppe Labellarte
