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Soccer: Messi sets record of 86 for goals in a year

By REUTERS

DECEMBER 9, 2012 22:57

MADRID - Barcelona forward Lionel Messi set a record for goals scored in a calendar year of 86 when he netted his second of the night in a La Liga game at Real Betis on Sunday, beating Gerd Mueller's 40-year-old record of 85.

The 25-year-old World Player of the Year earlier equalled the record when he picked up the ball in a central position in the 16th minute and left the Betis defense standing before sending an angled shot across goal into the bottom right corner.

Andres Iniesta's clever back heel set the Argentine up to score again nine minutes later with a sweeping shot that flew into the same corner of the goal.

Favourite to secure a fourth straight World Player award when the winner is announced next month, Messi has netted 74 times for Barca and 12 for Argentina in 2012, beating Mueller's total for Bayern Munich and Germany in 1972.

Saturday's double took his tally in 15 La Liga outings this season to 23.

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