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 on Sunday evening.
The Argentine was the star of the show, opening the scoring with a sensational free-kick from 20 yards out before adding a second on the stroke of half time, flicking home a finish after a clever back-heel 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.
Barcelona's Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez celebrates after scoring a goal during the Spanish league football match between Real Betis and FC Barcelona at the Benito Villamarin stadium in Seville on March 17, 2019.
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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.
TALKING POINT - The title race is over and the Liga trophy is in Barcelona’s grip
After Atletico Madrid’s defeat to Athletic Club on Saturday, victory at the Benito Villamarin put Barcelona a massive 10 points clear at the top of the Liga table. With just 10 rounds of fixtures left of the season, the Spanish title race is effectively over. Barca will almost certainly win their fourth league title in five years with nobody else in Spain able to keep up with the Catalans. This game was just another illustration of that.
Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona celebrates with his teammate Arturo Vidal and Luis Suarez of FC Barcelona after scoring the opening goal during the La Liga match between Real Betis Balompie and FC Barcelona at Estadio Benito Villamarin on March 17, 2019 in S
Image credit: Getty Images
MAN OF THE MATCH - Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
It was another one of those nights when Messi reminds us all of his sheer brilliance. The Barcelona man pulls off the sensational so often that it can become mundane, but this hat-trick hit home the level at which he is operating. His first two, a free-kick strike and a flicked finish from a Suarez assist, were impressive, but the highlight reel moment came in the chipped finish to secure his hat trick. One of his best ever goals. Even the home fans were applauding. Make sure you see it.
Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the La Liga match between Real Betis Balompie and FC Barcelona at Estadio Benito Villamarin on March 17, 2019 in Seville, Spain.
Image credit: Getty Images
PLAYER RATINGS
Real Betis - Pau 5, Joaquin 6, Mandi 5, Bartra 5, Sidnei 6, Tello 6, William 5, Guardado 5, Canales 4, Lo Celso 5, Jese 5. Subs - Emerson 5, Lainez 5, Loren 6.
Barcelona - Ter Stegen 5, Alba 6, Pique 6, Lenglet 5, Roberto 7, Rakitic 7, Busquets 5, Vidal 6, Arthur 6, Messi 9, Suarez 8. Subs - Coutinho, Alena, Semedo 5.
KEY MOMENTS
18’ GOAL! Real Betis 0-1 Barcelona: My goodness. What a strike from Messi. Even for the Barcelona number 10, the freekick looked to be a little close, but the Argentinean bent the shot into the top, left-hand corner of the Real Betis net. What a way to break the deadlock. Pau stood no chance.
46’ GOAL! Real Betis 0-3 Barcelona: Another wonderful, wonderful goal from Barcelona and it's that man again. They cut open Real Betis, with Suarez playing a reverse pass into Messi, who clipped a first time finish past Pau and into the back of the opposition net. Excellent.
Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona celebrates with his teammates Arturo Vidal and Arthur Melo of FC Barcelona after scoring his team's second goal during the La Liga match between Real Betis Balompie and FC Barcelona at Estadio Benito Villamarin on March 17, 20
Image credit: Getty Images
63’ GOAL! Real Betis 0-3 Barcelona: Incredible from Suarez! What a goal that is from the striker! Suarez picked up the ball 40 yards out and he just kept running and running, skipping past two defenders before sliding a finish Pau and into the bottom left-hand corner of the net. Wow.
82’ GOAL! Real Betis 1-3 Barcelona: That's a lovely finish from Loren, who bends a finish into the back of the Barcelona net from the edge of the penalty box, but it will surely matter little. The Catalans are out of sight and that will merely be a consolation goal for the home side.
85’ GOAL! Real Betis 1-4 Barcelona: There is nothing you can do about that and applause breaks out around the Benito Villamarin. The home fans are literally bowing to Messi! He managed to clip a chipped finish over Pau, in off the underside of the bar, from 16 yards out. What a ridiculous goal.
89’ Suarez injury! This is a concern for Barcelona. The striker looked to slip as he chased down a ball and then twisted his ankle. Suarez is still down and is receiving treatment on the sidelines.
93’ Off the post! Inches away from being a fourth goal for Messi! The pass was played back into the middle from Roberto, Messi controlled it, but then sent his effort on to the woodwork on the stretch.
KEY STATS
This was the lowest share of possession that Barcelona have had in a single Liga match since 2004/05 (43.9%).
Luis Suarez has equalled Diego Forlan’s record of 128 La Liga goals, most by an Uruguayan player La Liga history.
Suarez is also the third La Liga player to record double figures for both goals (20) and assists (10) this season after Lionel Messi (38 & 18) and Pablo Sarabia (19 & 11).
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