Lionel Messi breaks all-time goalscoring record, then scores hat-trick
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ByEurosport
Updated 25/11/2014 at 21:42 GMT
Barcelona forward Lionel Messi scored against APOEL Nicosia to break the Champions League’s all-time goalscoring record before going on to notch a hat-trick.
Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (R) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal during their UEFA Champions League football match against Apoel at the Neo GSP Stadium in the Cypriot capital, Nicosia
Image credit: AFP
The Argentine was tied with Spain legend Raul on 71 goals before instinctively sticking out a boot to divert Rafinha’s effort into the corner in Cyprus.
He struck again in the second-half with a cool dink over APOEL goalkeeper Urko Pardo before completing his treble with a simple tap-in to take his tally to 74.
The record is now expected to become a head-to-head tussle between Messi and Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo, who has 70 Champions League goals.
The Portugal captain has an outside chance of catching his arch rival when Real play visit Basel on Wednesday.
Messi smashed the all-time goalscoring record in Spain with a hat-trick against Sevilla on Saturday – the 251st, 252nd and 253rd goals of his Liga career.
He overhauled former Athletic Bilbao striker Telmo Zarra's mark of 251 goals set in 1955.
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