Lionel Messi's incredible 'Panenka free-kick' against Espanyol nothing new as video resurfaces of Barcelona star scoring identical set-piece NINE YEARS ago Lionel Messi scored a remarkable 'Panenka free-kick' against Espanyol The unusual technique put Barcelona on course for victory in the Catalan derby But it transpires that Messi has scored a similar set-piece nine years ago As a 22-year-old Messi chipped a free-kick into the net against Almeria By Peter Rutzler For Mailonline Published: 11:45 BST, 1 April 2019 | Updated: 11:45 BST, 1 April 2019 Viewcomments Lionel Messi scored a remarkable 'Panenka free-kick' during Barcelona's derby win over Espanyol on Saturday - but it turns out this isn't the first time he's pulled off the stunning set-piece technique. A video has resurfaced showing Messi dinking the ball over the wall from the edge of the penalty area against Almeria as a 22-year-old in 2010. The goal was strikingly similar to Barcelona's opening goal on Saturday, which helped pull the Spanish league leaders to victory. Scroll down for video Lionel Messi scored an impressive 'Panenka free-kick' for Barcelona against Espanyol The 'Panenka' technique is normally seen from penalties and sees the ball chipped into the net Against Espanyol Messi deployed a similar style to dink the ball over the wall and into the net Defender Victor Sanchez backpedaled from the wall to stop the free-kick but to no avail Instead the Espanyol defender headed the ball into the net past goalkeeper Diego Lopez Against Espanyol, Messi used a 'Panenka' style normally seen when players take a penalty. The technique involves chipping the ball into the net, and at the Nou Camp, Messi similarly clipped the ball with very little pace towards Diego Lopez's goal. His shot was so slow that defender Victor Sanchez was able to backpedal from the wall towards the goal-line - yet he was still unable to keep the ball out of the goal. Instead, he cushioned it into the net, away from the flailing Lopez. Nine years ago, Messi pulled Barcelona level at the Estadio de los Juegos Mediterraneos with the same technique - although this time, there was no pesky defender attempting to ruin the aesthete. It turns out Messi has used the same technique with the same outcome in the past for Barca Messi scored an equaliser for the Catalan giants against Almeria as a 22-year-old in 2010 The young Argentine dinked the ball over the wall from just outside the penalty area This time there was no backpedaling defender and Messi was able to watch the ball sail home The Almeria goalkeeper was left flat-footed as the ball landed in his bottom left-hand corner The ball popped over the wall and down into the net without interruption, landing in the goalkeeper's left-hand corner. Barcelona went on to win the match 2-0 after struggling to break down Rubi's well-drilled Espanyol side. Messi secured the points after a swift counter-attack triggered by a throw from goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen. That led to quick-interplay in midfield, which eventually freed Malcom on the left flank, who cut the ball back for Messi to finish. Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility