Sports

Lionel Messi sets new Champions League record by taking tally to 72 goals

Associated Press
Published | Updated

APOEL's Efstathios Aloneftis fights for the ball with Barcelona's Lionel Messi during a Champions League Group F soccer match between APOEL and FC Barcelona at GSP stadium, in Nicosia, Cyprus, Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2014. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias) (The Associated Press)

Barcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates with teammates scoring his side's 4th goal during a Champions League Group F soccer match between APOEL and FC Barcelona at GSP stadium, in Nicosia, Cyprus, Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2014. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias) (The Associated Press)

Barcelona's Lionel Messi has set a new Champions League goalscoring record by taking his tally in the competition to 72 on Tuesday.

Messi struck in the 38th minute against APOEL in Group F to give Barcelona a 2-0 lead after Luis Suarez had opened the scoring,

It was Messi's 91st match in Europe's top club competition. The former Real Madrid and Schalke striker Raul took 142 matches to set the previous record of 71.

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, who has scored 70 goals, gets his chance to break Messi's new record when the Spanish champions face Basel away on Wednesday.