Messi treble blows La Liga title race wide open

Andy West 08:44 24/03/2014
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  • Sent from above: Messi's hat-trick was vital for his side's hopes of winning the league this year.

    Barcelona breathed new life into La Liga title race with a sensational victory at leaders Real Madrid in an unrelenting and wholly entertaining Clasico last night.

    Lionel Messi’s second hat-trick against Madrid proved decisive in a match containing three penalties and a red card for Real's Sergio Ramos.

    Barca scored first through Andres Iniesta but Real twice led through a brace from Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty.

    The result now means the top three teams in Spain are separated by just a point, with Madrid only behind leaders Atletico because of head to head results.

    The game got off to an explosive start with both teams creating early chances as Messi released Neymar for a low shot which Diego Lopez saved with ease at his near post, before Benzema found space but dragged his shot wide.

    Barca then took the lead with a thumping strike from Iniesta, who latched onto Messi’s precise pass to race into the area and unleash an unstoppable rising left-footed strike into the roof of the net.

    The hosts wasted no time in launching a fightbac and were inspired by the outstanding Angel Di Maria, who embarked upon a jinking run into the penalty area to find Benzema, but the striker scooped a glorious chance over.

    Messi had a chance to double his team’s advantage after staying onside to receive Cesc Fabregas’ defence-splitting pass, but he uncharacteristically dragged a mishit left-footed strike well wide. And

    Madrid levelled soon after as Di Maria found space on the left to deliver a superb cross into the heart of the area, where Benzema arrived to convert with a powerful header, which Barca keeper Victor Valdes will be desperately disappointed not to have saved after getting a strong left hand to the ball.

    The breathless pace of the contest continued and, within three minutes, Madrid were ahead.

    Di Maria was again the architect, reaching the byline to cut back a cross which Benzema expertly controlled on his thigh before swivelling to send a fierce volley past Valdes.

    Madrid were running rampant now, and Barca were thankful to Gerard Pique for clearing off the goalline to deny Benzema a hattrick after yet another wonderful cross from Di Maria.

    Messi and the notably quiet Cristiano Ronaldo both saw long-range free-kicks blocked by the defensive wall before the pace of the game finally dropped as the half-time interval approached. But there was still time for another twist as Messi grabbed Barca’s leveller, playing a pass to Neymar inside the area and, as Dani Carvajal intercepted, followed up onto the loose ball to swipe home a low left-footed strike.

    Gareth Bale sparked the second half into life, bursting deep into the visiting half to release Benzema for a shot which Valdes saved.

    Within a minute, Ronaldo tumbled under a Dani Alves challenge and referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco pointed to the penalty spot, although replays showed the contact to have occurred just outside the box.

    Undeterred by Barca’s complaints, Ronaldo fired a perfect spot-kick into the bottom corner.

    Then came officiating controversy as Messi’s defence-splitting pass released Neymar, who was clipped inside the box by Sergio Ramos. Undiano Mallenco again pointed to the spot and also produced a straight red card for Ramos, even though there appeared to be little intent in the challenge.

    Messi kept his composure to fire the penalty into the right corner.

    Down to 10 men, Madrid were forced onto the back foot and escaped further punishment when Alves fizzed a shot against the post.

    Carlo Ancelotti withdrew Karim Benzema for Raphael Varane to shore up the defence but it subsequently reduced Real’s potency in the final third.

    Amazingly, another debatable penalty decision decided the game when Iniesta sneaked into the penalty area and was sandwiched between Carvajal and Xabi Alonso, and Messi was, once again, ice-cool from the spot.

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