This archive report was first published on 28 November 2019.
Barcelona's Lionel Messi has made history by scoring in his 700th match for the club, as they sealed a spot in the Champions League knockout stages with a 3-1 win over Borussia Dortmund on November 27, 2019.
Messi set up Luis Suarez to put Barca ahead at a packed Camp Nou in the 29th minute, before the Uruguayan returned the compliment for the Argentine to establish another Champions League record on his landmark night four minutes later.
"Messi moves so well between the lines and when he receives the ball he is almost unstoppable," said Dortmund coach Lucien Favre, whose side struck a late consolation goal through substitute Jadon Sancho.
Substitute Griezmann finished off a defence-splitting pass from Messi to further stretch Barca's lead in the 67th minute, a much-needed goal for the Frenchman's confidence after failing to score in his previous six appearances for the club.
Barcelona's win marked a therapeutic end to a difficult period for the team, who had come in for scathing criticism for their recent poor displays against Leganes, Levante and Slavia Prague.
"We were in the toughest group in the competition and once again we have qualified for the latter stages with a game to spare," said Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde.
"Our first objective was to qualify as group winners but we also wanted to show a real improvement in our play," added Suarez.
