Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick as Barcelona beat Real
Madrid 4-3 on Sunday, allowing Atletico Madrid to move to the top of La Liga.
Barcelona breathed life into their title defence as Messi
starred in their thrilling El Clasico win at 10-man Real Madrid.
Messi, Barca's all-time leading scorer, struck two
second-half penalties as the Catalan giants came from behind twice to win a
pulsating encounter at Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.
The second of those spot-kicks, scored with six minutes
left after Xabi Alonso clumsily fouled Andres Iniesta, was hammered into the
top-right corner as the defending champions closed to within one point of Real
- and city rivals Atletico - in the La Liga table.
Iniesta's early goal was cancelled out by a pair of Karim
Benzema strikes, and although Messi levelled before half-time, a controversial
Cristiano Ronaldo penalty put Real back in front.
Sergio Ramos was then sent off for bringing down Neymar,
though, and Messi's first penalty restored parity.
And the Argentina star – who became the top scorer in
Clasicos with his treble, overtaking Real Madrid legend Alfredo Di Stefano –
held his nerve when presented with another penalty as his side notched their
first league double over their rivals since the 2009-10 season.
Atletico moved to the summit before the Clasico and would
have watched on with joy after their 2-0 win at rock-bottom Real Betis.
Second-half strikes from Gabi and Diego Costa gave
Atletico their 10th away league win of the season and drew them level with
Real.
And if Atletico and Real end the campaign on the same
number of points, Diego Simeone's side will finish higher because of their win
and draw garnered from the two derby meetings this term.
Atletico were made to work for their latest victory, but
eventually their quality shone through against struggling Betis.
Costa had a goal ruled out for offside in the first half,
a decision that appeared to be harsh, but the match swung in Atleti's favour
when Braian Rodriguez was sent off for a second yellow card in the 56th minute.
Gabi capitalised with a stunning 25-yard strike just two
minutes later, and Costa then showed his predatory instincts with a clever
left-foot finish just after the hour as struggling Betis' slim chances of
survival took another blow.
Sevilla climbed to fifth after a 2-1 win at Osasuna
thanks to first-half goals from Jairo Samperio and Carlos Bacca.
And Valencia beat Villarreal by the same scoreline – a
result that helped them to eighth – thanks to Javi Fuego's double.
Culled from Soccerway
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