Rookie goalkeeper Ruslan Neshcheret made a sensational save from a pinpoint Lionel Messi free-kick on his Champions League debut.
After both of Dynamo Kyiv's first-team goalkeepers tested positive for COVID-19, the 18-year-old was called up from the club's B team and started the game at the Nou Camp.
He was beaten by a first half Messi penalty and a header from Gerard Pique in the second but gave a brilliant account of himself on the big stage.
The save to deny Messi's goal-bound set-piece was the highlight. The six-time Ballon d'Or winner, arguably the most precise free-kick taker in world football, curled one in from distance and it looked like the ball was nestling for the top corner.
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So many goalkeepers have fell victim to Messi's set-piece prowess, including the likes of Alisson Becker and Thibaut Courtois but Neshcheret sprawled across to the right and pulled off an outstanding one-handed stop to tip the ball over the bar.
The angle from behind Messi really does it justice and captures what a stunning piece of goalkeeping it was from the teenager.
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Ridiculously, the young Ukrainian made a total of 12 saves against the Blaugrana - the joint-third most by a goalkeeper in a Champions League fixture.
Eight of those came from shots inside the box, with Neshcheret receiving a 9.05 rating from WhoScored after a sensational showing.
Check out some of the saves he produced in the following compilation:
We hope he got Messi's shirt after the game because he deserved it.
Featured Image Credit:Topics:Β Football News, Football, Lionel Messi, Dynamo Kyiv, Champions League
