Lionel Messi struck a stunning hat trick as Barcelona opened up a 10-point gap at the top of La Liga with a 4-1 away win over Real Betis.
The Argentina was the star of the show, opening the scoring with a sensational freekick from 20 yards out before adding a second on the stroke of half time, flicking home a finish after a clever backheel assist from Luis Suarez.
Suarez spurned a number of opportunities, but added a third in magnificent fashion just after the hour mark, driving forward with the ball from 40 yards, skipping past the tackles of three defenders and sliding a low effort past Pau Lopez.
Real Betis pulled one back when substitute Loren Moron curled home a finish from 18 yards out, but the highlight of the night came when Messi completed his hat trick with a barely believable chipped, first-time finish over the head of Pau, finding the back of the net off the underside of the bar.
The goal led to a standing ovation from the Betis crowd as the home fans chanting and bowed in honour of Messi. The only negative note for the league leaders was a nasty looking injury suffered by Suarez just before the full-time whistle.
Latest Stories
-
Daniel Otting Awuah elected SRC President of Ghana School of Law
28 mins -
Lawrence Ati-Zigi signs St. Gallen contract extension
32 mins -
We should be careful not to destroy our institutions without just cause – Serebour Quaicoe
41 mins -
Cecilia Dapaah’s case: EOCO hasn’t requested for FBI report – Office of the Special Prosecutor
3 hours -
Andre Ayew scores 5th league goal as Le Havre beat Strasbourg
3 hours -
Ejisu by-election: NPP didn’t sanction money distribution to voters – Richard Ahiagbah
3 hours -
Ghana Health Service opens vacancies for 204 doctors, 25 dentists
3 hours -
Domestic tourism on the rebound with 1.4m visits to attraction sites in 2023 – GTA
4 hours -
Government working hard to complete Tema General Hospital project – Dr Okoe Boye
4 hours -
Ipswich Town seal Premier League promotion after 22 years absence
4 hours -
Accord journalists the respect due them – Opare Gyan
4 hours -
EPL: Arsenal beat Bournemouth to go four points clear of Man City
4 hours -
Cecilia Dapaah’s case: What’s happening now is a clear indication of cover-up – Amaliba
4 hours -
I felt rejected by Ghanaians – AY Poyoo
5 hours -
Terrorist cell of five Daesh supporters dismantled in Essaouira
5 hours