Messi sets Barca goals mark with hat trick
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E-mail Xinhua, March 21, 2012
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Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi celebrates his goal during the Spanish league football match FC Barcelona vs Granada CF on March 20, 2012 at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona. |
Leo Messi made history on Tuesday night as he became the top scorer in the history of FC Barcelona with a hat-trick in his side's 5-3 win at home to Granada.
Messi scored three times to net his 232nd, 233rd and 234th goals for the Catalans as Barca won in the Camp Nou stadium to momentarily close the gap on Real Madrid to five points in the Spanish La Liga table.
As well as beating Cesar's record, Messi has now scored 34 goals in the league this season, two more than Cristiano Ronaldo.
The lack of recovery time since last weekend's matches meant both sides had to make use of their squads and that clearly helped Barca, who have a greater depth of talent than their rivals.
In a first half totally controlled by the home side, Isaac Cuenca was the key player with his crosses helping set up Xavi Hernandez for the opening goal and Leo Messi for Barca's second of the night.
Messi's goal was his 232nd for the club, allowing him to equal the record of legendary former player Cesar, until now the top scorer in the history of FC Barcelona.
With Granada sitting deep, Barca should have had a penalty after a clear foul on winger Alexis Sanchez, who was clearly brought down in the visitors' penalty area.
The game looked to be in the bag, but Barcelona had to change defender Adriano for a possible hamstring injury at halftime and 10 minutes after the break Granada pulled a goal back following a Diego Mainz header from a free kick that was poorly defended by the home side.
The home fans were stunned after 62 minutes after Granada drew level from the penalty spot after Dani Alves was harshly penalized for a possible foul on Dani Benitez. Siquiera sent Victor Valdes the wrong way from the spot.
That again set the stage for Messi who six minutes later scored his second of the night to again put Barca ahead. His magnificent chip made it 3-2 on the night and converted him into the top scorer in Barca's history.
He then turned provider with nine minutes remaining to help set up Cristian Tello to slot home after Julio Cesar had blocked Messi 's shot. All that was left was for Messi to complete his third of the night with another typical dribble past the Granada goalkeeper.
There was time for more drama as Siguiera scored a second penalty following a handball from Alves -- an action which earned him a second yellow card and a sending off which will see him suspended for his side's visit to Mallorca next weekend.
In Tuesday's other game, Osasuna were held 0-0 at home to Getafe. The result takes Osasuna into sixth place in the table while Getafe are currently 11th.
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