Watch: Lionel Messi scores 10th goal of Champions League group stage
Lionel Messi will be sad to see the Champions League group stage come to an end, at least from a personal standpoint.
Messi continued his tear in the competition, scoring his 10th goal of the group phase Tuesday for Barcelona in a 4-0 home win over Borussia Monchengladbach.
Messi worked a give-and-go with Arda Turan, receiving the pass and finishing with his polished left foot. The goal brought him within one of Cristiano Ronaldo's record for most goals in the group stage, which he set last season. It also pulls Messi within two of Ronaldo's all-time Champions League goal record, which stands at 95.
Before the group finale, Barcelona had already cemented its place as a group winner. As a result, the likes of Neymar and Luis Suarez were rested by manager Luis Enrique, who turned to a more makeshift lineup than usual for the match.
Turan was one of the beneficiaries, as he followed his assist with a 17-minute hat trick in the second half, putting the result out of reach for Barcelona.
