Messi Hat-trick Hurts Madrid

Barcelona defeated Real Madrid thanks to a late Lionel Messi penalty in one of the greatest Clásico matches in recent memory. The game had just about everything over the 90 minutes including a hat-trick, three penalties, a red card, and some spectacular goals.

The match got off to a nice, energetic start with both team’s getting good chances to grab an early goal.

In the 7th minute, Messi found Andrés Iniesta on the left side of the box and the Spaniard did not waste his chance. Iniesta’s shot went up and over Lopéz’s shoulder, and into the top right corner of the goal, giving Barcelona an early 1-0 lead.

Benzema wasted a wonderful chance in the 13th minute, skying a low cross from Ángel di María well over the crossbar.

Finally in the 20th minute, the Frenchman converted his third chance of the day.

Di María set-up the chance, sending in an exquisite cross from the left wing that Benzema rose to meet. The striker’s header was well placed, but Victor Valdés will be annoyed with himself as the ball bounced off his gloves and over the line to pull the Merengues even at 1-1.

Four minutes later Di María and Benzema connected again, giving Madrid their first lead of the day. Benzema somehow managed to control Di María’s cross with his thigh, spinning the ball up in the air and rocketing a volleyed shot past Valdés, making it 2-1.

Benzema was denied a hat trick in the 26th minute when, you guessed it, Di María found the striker with a cross from the left. Benzema settled the ball and fired a shot that was blocked off the line by Gerard Piqué.

Just before the halftime break, Messi jumped on a loose ball in the Madrid box and directed a low shot past López to even the match at 2-2.

The goal pulled Messi even with Hugo Sanchez on the La Liga all-time scoring list (234) and moved him ahead of Alfredo Di Stéfano for the all-time goal scoring lead in Clásicos (19).

Gareth Bale’s first good contribution to the match arrived in the 52nd minute when the Welshman made a lightning quick run through the defense, sending a pass to Benzema as the striker broke into the Barca box. Valdés was ready though, blocking Benzema’s shot away.

Cristiano Ronaldo finally got the penalty he’s been shouting about since the first Clásico of the season in the 54th minute when he tripped over Dani Alves’ foot on the edge of the box. The referee wasted no time pointing to the spot and the Portuguese striker finished things off himself, beating Valdés low and to the left to make it 3-2.

Barca wasn’t done though and in the 63rd minute, Sergio Ramos made some contact with Neymar in the box, denying a goal scoring opportunity and bringing out a red card. Madrid fans won’t be thrilled with the call, but Barca didn’t care as Messi stepped up and just beat López to again even the match, this time at 3-3.

Dani Alves nearly pushed Barca back in front in the 74th minute, pinging a shot off the post…but the goal would come.

Xabi Alonso brought down Iniesta as the Barca midfielder tried to jump past him on the right side of the box. A penalty was quickly given, much to the chagrin of Alonso and his teammates. Messi cooly stepped up and completed his hat trick, giving Barca a 4-3 lead.

With the victory, Real Madrid suddenly find their lead at the top of the table gone as Atlético Madrid take over first place on a tiebreaker. Barcelona meanwhile resuscitated their league campaign, pulling within a point of of both the Madrid sides.