Messi hits hat-trick as Barcelona set Spanish record

Liga

Messi hits hat-trick as Barcelona set Spanish record

La Liga, Campo de Futbol de Vallecas – Rayo Vallecano 1 (Manucho 57) Barcelona 5 (Rakitic 22, Messi 23, 53, 72, Turan 86)

Barcelona set a record for the longest unbeaten run by any Spanish team, extending their streak to 35 matches with a 5-1 win over nine-man Rayo Vallecano.

Lionel Messi struck a hat-trick as Paco Jemez’s side hit the self-destruct button, ending the match two men short after the dismissal of both Diego Llorente and Manuel Iturra. Barcelona could have finished with more than the five goals they ultimately tallied, with Luis Suarez missing a second-half penalty.

Ivan Rakitic also found the net, making the most of some atrocious goalkeeping from Juan Carlos, with Arda Turan also notching his first goal as a Barcelona player. But it was Messi who stole the show for the Catalans.

The result put Luis Enrique’s side eight points clear at the top of the Spanish Liga table, and 12 points clear of Real Madrid. The title race might already be something of a foregone conclusion.

TALKING POINT

Why are Barcelona so bad at taking penalty kicks? For all their brilliance, Barcelona have now missed 50 percent of their penalty kicks this season. Luis Suarez, Neymar and Lionel Messi have all missed two each, with the Catalans seemingly futile from just 12 yards out. And yet they have scored some of the most sublime and intricate goals this season. So why can’t they do the business from the spot?

MAN OF THE MATCH

Lionel Messi (Barcelona): With 19 goals in his last 16 appearances for Barcelona, Lionel Messi looks to have finally found his best form this season. The Argentine has passed the goalscoring responsibility to Luis Suarez and Neymar at times this season, but he was in ruthless mood against Rayo Vallecano tonight. He probably should have taken the penalty kick as well.

PLAYER RATINGS

Rayo Vallecano: Carlos 5, Quini 5, Llorente 4, Crespo 5, Tito 6, Iturra 4, Trashorras 5, Embarba 7, Piti 5, Bebe 7, Manucho 7. Subs: Amaya 5, Joni 4, Guerra 4.

Barcelona: Bravo 5, Roberto 5, Pique 6, Mascherano 6, Mathieu 7, Busquets 6, Rakitic 6, Iniesta 6, Messi 9, Neymar 7, Suarez 6. Subs: Turan 6, Vidal 5, Vermaelen 5.

[MATCHCAST: FULL COMMENTARY AND STATS]

KEY MOMENTS

24’ - GOAL! Rayo Vallecano 0 Barcelona 1. Oh dear. That was a howler from Carlos! He drops a cross at the feet of Rakitic who had the simple task of finishing into the empty net. Barca have the lead.

25’ - GOAL! Rayo Vallecano 0 Barcelona 2. Barcelona double their advantage just moments later! Messi threads through Neymar, receives the return ball from the Brazilian and finishes past Carlos.

44’ - SENT OFF! Diego Llorente (Rayo Vallecano). It's a straight red card for the Rayo Vallecano player, who looked to follow through on Rakitic with his challenge. That was an unlucky one.

54’ - GOAL! Rayo Vallecano 0 Barcelona 3. There's another goal for Barcelona, and a second of the night for Messi. Suarez strikes against the post and the Argentine finishes at the second attempt.

57’ - GOAL! Rayo Vallecano 1 Barcelona 3. They have one back! A cross to the back post is headed back across goal by Bebe and Manucho heads into the empty from about two yards out.

69’ - OFF THE CROSSBAR! Messi leaves the freekick to Neymar on the edge of the box and the Brazilian smashes his effort off the woodwork. That was inches away from another goal.

70’ - PENALTY TO BARCA, RED CARD! Busquets is cleaned out five yards out as he attempted to roll the finish from Neymar's freekick into the empty net. Iturra was the guilty party and is also dismissed!

71’ - PENALTY SAVED! Suarez steps up to the 12 yard mark and Carlos pulls off a wonderful save to deny the Barcelona striker. What is it with the Catalans and penalty kicks? Bizarre.

75’ - GOAL! Rayo Vallecano 1 Barcelona 4. This could get messy for Rayo Vallecano now. Busquets plays a simple pass through to Messi, who runs clean through on goal and finishes past Carlos.

88’ - GOAL! Rayo Vallecano 1 Barcelona 5. That's an important goal for Turan, as he scores his first goal for Barcelona. Mathieu finds the Turkish international at the back post, who heads past Carlos.

KEY STATS

Barcelona have now set a new Spanish record of 35 games unbeaten in all competitions, surpassing Real Madrid’s record of 34 games in the 1988/89 season.

Barcelona are the first side to miss seven penalties in a single La Liga season since at the 1998/99 season.

Barcelona have now passed the 300 goal mark with Luis Enrique as manager