It really is a shame that Lionel Messi had to go and end what was, up until this point, the largely successful playing career of Bayern Munich and Geman national team defender Jerome Boateng.
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Then again, that’s just what Messi does. He spun, turned inside-out and abused Boateng — all in roughly three seconds’ time — during Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League semifinal first leg. There was also still the small matter of applying the final touch, the delicate chip over the top of Manuel Neuer, who had himself a standout game to this point.
Game, set and match to Messi, just like the semifinal tie appears to be with 90 minutes still to play in Munich next Tuesday.