Messi sets new scoring record as Barca thrash Sevilla
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E-mail Xinhua, November 23, 2014
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Lionel Messi reacts during the Spanish first division soccer match against Sevilla at the Camp Nou Stadium, in Barcelona, Spain, on Nov. 22, 2014. [Xinhua] |
Leo Messi made La Liga history on Saturday night when he scored a hat-trick which gave FC Barcelona a 5-1 win at home to Sevilla.
Messi' s goals, which came thanks to a magnificent 21st minute free kick, a 72nd minute tap in and a delightful left foot shot 12 minutes from time, were his 251st, 252nd and 253rd goals in the BBVA Primera Liga, beating the previous all-time scoring record of 251 goals set by former Athletic Club Bilbao striker, Telmo Zarra in the 1950's.
Barca were clearly superior to a Sevilla side which didn' t have a shot on goal all game and whose solitary goal came at the start of the second half when Jordi Alba put the ball into his own net.
That momentarily made it 1-1, but Barca were almost immediately back in front through a Neymar header, before Luis Suarez set up Ivan Rakitic to score against his former club.
Messi' s two last goals saw him set the new record and seal the win as the Camp Nou chanted his name to end a week which, incredibly had kicked off with doubts over his future at the club.
Real Madrid had put Barca under pressure earlier in the day with a 4-0 win away to Eibar. Carlo Ancelotti' s side were made to work hard by a side that played with aggression and pride, but Real Madrid' s firepower was decisive and James Rodrguez, Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored twice and Karim Benzema goals sealed a win in what was probably Madrid' s toughest away game since their 4-2 defeat to Real Sociedad early in the campaign.
Atletico Madrid kicked off the day with a 3-1 home win against a Malaga side that had won its last five matches. Tiago Cardoso opened the scoring after 12 minutes and Antione Griezmann, who has suddenly found his shooting boots, doubled the lead before the break.
Roque Santa Cruz brought Malaga back into things midway through the second half, but Diego Godin again took advantage of Atletico' s strength from set pieces to seal the win seven minutes from time.
The round of matches kicked off on Friday night as Athletic Club Bilbao continued their return to form with a 3-1 win at home to Espanyol. Aritz Adruriz, Borja Viguera, with his first goal for the club, and Ander Iturraspe assured the points for the Basque side.
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