Messi's inch-perfect free-kick humbles Villarreal in final moments

Lionel Messi's precise free-kick salvaged a point for Barcelona on Sunday against Villarreal, producing the kind of magic only he knows how.

Situated in a central position some 20 yards away from goal, Messi hammered a fantastic set piece to secure a 1-1 stalemate at El Madrigal.

Messi hit the upright earlier in the match, but his 90th-minute strike whizzed just underneath the crossbar.

The Yellow Submarine put in a valiant effort on home soil, and earned a shocking lead in the 50th minute through summer signing Nicola Sansone. The host offered a significant threat on the counter-attack, but a foul just on the edge of its penalty area gave Messi the opportunity to draw level.

The draw isn't much use to Barcelona, however, which now trails Real Madrid by five points. Madrid also has a game in hand.