AWESOME: MESSI EQUALS RAUL'S RECORD

Argentina international Messi scored in the 36th minute with a soft header after Ajax failed to clear a free kick.

His 71st goal in the competition came after he linked with substitute Pedro in the 76th minute as Barcelona qualified for the last 16.

Bayern Munich, Paris St-Germain and Porto join Barca in the next round.

Champions League record scorers
Lionel Messi	71 goals	90 games
Raul	71 goals	142 games
Cristiano Ronaldo	70 goals	107 games
Ruud van Nistelrooy	56 goals	73 games
Thierry Henry	50 goals	112 games

Messi has now surpassed Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, who has 70, in the list of Champions League top scorers. 

"Messi is without doubt the best player I've seen as a player and a coach," said Barca manager Luis Enrique.

While it took Raul 142 Champions League outings to score his 71 goals, Messi's appearance against Ajax was his 90th in the competition.

CREDIT: BBC