Real Madrid 3 : 4 Barcelona - Messi nets hat-trick in Clasico win

Posted Monday, March 24, 2014 by PA

Barcelona reignited their title challenge with a 4-3 victory over Real Madrid in a pulsating Clasico which had a little bit of everything.

There were stunning individual performances on both sides, three penalties, a red card, and somewhere amid it all, a Lionel Messi hat-trick. Karim Benzema and Angel Di Maria bossed the first half, but both found themselves substituted in the second as Madrid moved into crisis management.

Andres Iniesta put Barca ahead just four minutes in, but Benzema's brace turned it around before Messi levelled before the break. Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty restored Madrid's lead but after Sergio Ramos brought down Neymar in the area, Madrid were down to 10 and two Messi penalties won it for the visitors.

The game started at a frantic pace and rarely eased up.

Neymar and Benzema had already had attempts on goal before Barca took the lead six minutes in, with Messi playing a perfect pass into the path of Iniesta who rifled a left-footed shot into the roof of the net.

Madrid had no need to panic, with Di Maria looking electric down the left and setting up a string of chances.

Benzema was guilty of wasting two of them, hitting a tame shot from the edge of the area and then, after being picked out by Di Maria six yards out, inexplicably blazing over.

Neymar was almost through on goal in the 19th minute but he was off-balance before Marcelo got in a block, and Madrid raced down the other end to score - Di Maria the inevitable provider as Benzema powered in a header which Victor Valdes got a hand to but could only help on its way.

As Madrid's celebrations broke up, Di Maria crumpled to the ground appearing to have been taken ill. Doctors quickly surrounded him as he spent a couple of minutes off the pitch, but whatever they gave him did the trick as he ran back on to set up Benzema's second moments later.

Running on to a quick pass from Marcelo, Di Maria stood up a cross and, after Javier Mascherano missed the interception, Benzema took a touch before rifling the ball past the helpless Valdes.

Gerard Pique's goalline clearance was all that denied Benzema a hat-trick after yet another brilliant run from Di Maria as the Argentinian continued to cause all manner of problems.

He next won a free-kick which led to penalty appeals as Madrid claim hands from Cesc Fabregas in blocking Ronaldo's shot, but Messi and Barcelona had the perfect response.

Messi raced into the Madrid box and after playing a quick one-two fired a low shot in between three defenders to level it three minutes before half-time, his 234th La Liga goal putting him level with Hugo Sanchez for second all-time.

As Barca celebrated Pepe and Fabregas clashed, earning a booking each.

There was still time in the half for Benzema to head agonisingly wide from Gareth Bale's cross.

It was Madrid who had their tails up as the second half started, and this time it was Bale who made his first significant run before teeing up Benzema only for Valdes to make a fine save.

Moments later came a moment of controversy as Ronaldo was clipped by Dani Alves to earn a penalty, only for replays to show the contact was outside the area before Ronaldo's exaggerated tumble.

The referee may have made a mistake but Ronaldo did not as he fired in a low penalty.

Ten minutes later, Barca had one of their own as Neymar ran into the area and was clipped by Ramos. Contact was minimal, but Ramos - who moments earlier had vociferously demanded Alves see red - was the one now given his marching orders.

It was the 13th red card in the last 14 Clasicos, and the 19th of Ramos' career.

Messi fired in the spot-kick to level the match and Carlo Ancelotti made a huge call in sacrificing Benzema for Raphael Varane.

The pace dropped a step as Madrid sought to tighten up and Barca patiently moved the ball around, but Alves gave Madrid a 74th-minute alarm call with a 20-yard drive that crashed back off the left-hand upright.

It was almost out of nothing that Barca were awarded their second penalty in the 83rd minute, the referee immediately blowing after Iniesta tried to wriggle between Daniel Carvajal and Xabi Alonso and fell.

Madrid's players angrily surrounded the referee but Messi kept his cool to fire an unstoppable penalty into the top right-hand corner.

Di Maria, sensational in the first half but subdued in the second, was taken off in favour of Isco but Madrid could not deny Barca a win which leaves them one point behind leaders Atletico and second-placed Real.