Sports
Messi bags stunning hat-trick in Barcelona’s big win at Real Betis
Lionel Messi scored his 51st career hat-trick to help Barcelona beat Real Betis 4-1 in a La Liga encounter on Sunday.
With the victory, the La Liga leaders went 10 points clear as second-placed Atletico Madrid were defeated by Bilbao on Saturday.
The Argentine’s first was a 20-yard free-kick that put the visitors ahead, before he converted Luis Suarez’s backheel pass with a toe-poked strike to double their lead.
Read Also: Balogun absent as Brighton win FA Cup thriller at Millwall, to face Man City next
Suarez then scored a fine individual effort in the 63rd minute while Loren Moron grabbed Betis’ only goal with a superb finish.
Messi completed his hattrick five minutes to time as Barca punished their hosts, who beat them 4-3 at the Nou Camp in November.
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