JAVIER MASCHERANO’S long wait for a Barcelona goal is finally over after he slotted home a penalty against Osasuna on Thursday.
Despite the Catalans regularly recording cricket scores against opponents since his arrival in 2010, amazingly he had never managed to find the net himself.
But, eventually, his barren run of 319 matches came to an end in the 7-1 La Liga victory at the Nou Camp.
Denis Suarez was chopped inside the box to win Barcelona a penalty when they were already 5-1 to the good.
To the delight of everyone, Mascherano was only too happy to step forward to convert from 12 yards to end his near seven season goalless run.
His team-mates were overjoyed for the former West Ham and Liverpool star, mobbing him after his successful effort.
And that strike also brought up another milestone, with it being the 500th goal scored since Luis Enrique took charge of the club in 2014.
Having been deployed as a midfielder throughout his career, the 32-year-old has dropped back into central defence in recent years, rarely getting into the opposition half.
His goal against Osasuna was only the fourth of his career, although he has bagged three times for his country in 136 appearances.
Mascherano last hit the net in June 2014 for Argentina against Trinidad & Tobago.
The last time he hit the target at club level was for Liverpool against Unirea Urziceni is February 2010.
