Real Madrid 3-4 Barcelona - Messi Nets Hat-Trick To Break Clasico Record

Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick to break Alfredo Di Stefano's record as the the top scorer in Clasico history as Barcelona defeated 10-man Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu. Messi scored his 19th, 20th and 21st goals in this fixture as Barca twice battled from behind to close the gap at the top of La Liga to just a point. The Argentinian was the creator of his side's first goal, playing in Andres Iniesta to hammer home after just seven minutes. Karim Benzema then levelled and gave his side the lead with quick-fire goals and Cristiano Ronaldo scored a penalty but Messi turned the game on its head with a hat-trick. Barca knew they had to win here to remain within touching distance of leaders Madrid, who could have moved seven points clear at the summit with victory. And Gerardo Martino's men had to battle hard to stop that from happening when Benzema wiped out their early lead with two goals in four first half minutes. The Frenchman chalked out Iniesta's early opener with a weak header that Victor Valdes should have dealt better with, after Angel Di Maria gave Barca's defence trouble down the right. And minutes later the reigning Spanish champions were stunned when Di Maria again proved a handful to set up his teammate for a close-ranged volley from deep inside Barca's box.

It looked as though Barca would go into the break trailing, but Messi levelled the game three minutes before half-time when Neymar played him in to drive into the bottom corner. It was a breathless end to the first half, and there was more drama still to come, with three penalties and a red card typifying what is usually a fiery affair between these two heavyweights. First, Dani Alves felled Ronaldo shortly after the restart and though the Portuguese tumbled into the box, replays showed contact was first made outside the area. Nevertheless, the forward got back to his feet to smash in his 26th goal in 25 league appearances to give his side the lead for the second time in the evening. Ten minutes later however, the game was again turned on its head when Sergio Ramos clipped Neymar as he burst through on goal, the defender picking up the 19th red card of his career. Who else but Messi stepped up to blast in his second of the evening, with Diego López guessing the right way but ultimately failing to keep out the crucial spot-kick. Barca made the extra man count and looked most likely to grab the winner, with Alves striking the woodwork with a shot from outside the area. The clock ticked down and Madrid thought they might edge out a draw despite their numerical disadvantage, until another penalty was awarded, after Dani Carvaja brought down Iniesta. Contact appeared minimal and Carvaja can perhaps consider himself hard done by as referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco pointed to the spot for the third time in the evening. Again it was Messi to take and again López was helpless as the forward smashed into the top corner to complete his hat-trick and seal a vital three points for Barca - and a little bit of history.