Lionel Messi hat-trick sees Barca past Real in seven-goal thriller

Messi hat-trick sees Barca past Real in seven-goal thriller - Barcelona moved to within a point of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga as they twice came from behind thanks to a Lionel Messi hat-trick to edge a thrilling El Clasico 4-3 at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The sides went in level 2-2 at half-time as a record 19th goal against Madrid from Messi cancelled out Karim Benzema's double after Andres Iniesta had put Barca in front.

Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi grabs the ball after scoring during the Spanish league "Clasico" football match Real Madrid CF vs FC Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on March 23, 2014 (AFP Photo/Pierre-Philippe Marcou)      

       

Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring during the Spanish league "Clasico" football match Real Madrid CF vs FC Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on March 23, 2014 (AFP Photo/Gerard Julien). 

Real Madrid's defender Sergio Ramos is shown a red card during the Spanish league "Clasico" football match Real Madrid CF vs FC Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on March 23, 2014 (AFP Photo/Gerard Julien). 

Real Madrid's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (L) celebrates after scoring during the Spanish league "Clasico" football match at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on March 23, 2014 (AFP Photo/Pierre-Philippe Marcou). 

Real Madrid's goalkeeper Diego Lopez (top) jumps over Barcelona's Brazilian forward Neymar during the Spanish league "Clasico" football match Real Madrid CF vs FC Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on March 23, 2014 (AFP Photo/Dani Pozo). 

Cristiano Ronaldo then put Madrid back in front from the penalty spot, but the hosts were reduced to 10-men when Sergio Ramos pulled down Neymar inside the box 10 minutes later and Messi levelled once more from the spot.

And the Argentine won the game with another penalty seven minutes from time after Iniesta had been felled by Xabi Alonso.

A first defeat for Real in 32 games means Atletico Madrid remain top of the table thanks to their better head-to-head record against Los Blancos with Barca still in third.

"The league starts a new now," said Barca boss Gerardo Martino.

"More than the mathematical distance we were behind, the impression was people wrote us off. Atletico Madrid were always in the fight and I think that after this result we are too.

"We knew if we didn't win tonight it was over for us. We still don't have matters in our own hands, but we'll now fight till the end."

Real coach Carlo Ancelotti, meanwhile, lamented Ramos' game-changing red card when Madrid had just gotten themselves back in front.

"I haven't seen it again and it is difficult for me to comment on the decisions of the referee because there were many.

"However, it was the key moment. We were winning 3-2 and controlling the game well, but it is much more difficult to control the game with a player less."

The game got off to a blistering start as after Neymar and Benzema had early efforts easily saved, Barca opened the scoring when Messi played in Iniesta behind the Real defence and the Spanish international smashed the ball in off the underside of the bar.

Benzema had a great chance to equalise five minutes later when he spooned Angel Di Maria's cut-back over after a great a jinking run from the Argentine had taken him past three Barca defenders.

Messi could then have made it 2-0 when he fired wide with the type of opening he is normally deadly with as he raced onto Cesc Fabregas' fine through ball.

Benzema made amends for his earlier miss 20 minutes in when Victor Valdes just failed to keep out his header from Di Maria's cross.

The Frenchman then completed a rapid turnaround for the hosts as Javier Mascherano misjudged another Di Maria centre from the left and Benzema took a touch before firing past the helpless Valdes.

Gerard Pique had to make a vital clearance off the line to prevent a hat-trick of Di Maria assists for Benzema.

- Controversial penalty award -

Barca responded before half-time and were level when Messi controlled a loose ball inside the area and slotted home at Diego Lopez's near post.

Benzema could still have put Madrid in front at the break as his looping header from Dani Carvajal's cross crept inches past the post.

The first opportunity of the second period also fell to Benzema after a terrific run and pass from Gareth Bale, but this time Valdes managed to make the save low to his right.

Carlo Ancelotti's men did retake the lead on 55 minutes when referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco controversially awarded a penalty for a trip on Ronaldo by Alves despite the contact appearing to take place outside the area.

Ronaldo was unmoved, though, as he got up to take hammer the resulting spot-kick low past Valdes' outstretched right hand.

However, the game turned again 25 minutes from time when Messi released Neymar and he was brought down by Ramos.

Real's captain for the evening was shown his 19th red card for Los Blancos for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity and Messi converted from the spot to make it 3-3.

Alves then struck the inside of the post from 25 yards as Barca went in search of the goal that would salvage their title chances.

And they got it when Mallenco awarded a third penalty of the evening as Iniesta tumbled inside the area and Messi again dispatched it perfectly high past Lopez. (AFP)

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Carles Puyol to leave Barcelona at end of season

Carles Puyol to leave Barcelona at end of season - Barcelona captain Carles Puyol announced on Tuesday that he will leave the club at the end of the season after a hugely successful 15-year career at the Camp Nou.

The 35-year-old, who did not reveal whether he will continue playing elsewhere, has been plagued by injuries over the last couple of seasons and has undergone three knee operations.

"At the end of the season I will leave FC Barcelona. The club are aware of this and we are in agreement," he said.

"We will rescind the final two years of my contract that were still to run."

Puyol signed a new deal with the club in January last year, but admitted in June that he would not stay if injuries continued to prevent him from playing a significant part on the field.

And having featured just 10 times this season in all competitions, he said it was time for a new challenge in a less physically demanding environment.

Barcelona's midfielder Carles Puyol poses prior to an announcement at the Sports Center FC Barcelona Joan Gamper in Sant Joan Despi, near Barcelona on March 4, 2014 (AFP Photo/Lluis Gene) 

"After the last two operations it has been difficult for me to recover the level I need to be able to continue here, more than I expected and more than surgeons said. That is why I have taken this decision."

- Next destination still unknown -

Puyol didn't reveal where he would go at the end of the current campaign and insisted he will give everything in what remains of the season to help Barca succeed on three fronts.

"I am not leaving today, there are still three months of the season remaining and those that know me know that I will not give up until the end. I will continue fighting to help the team improve and achieve our objectives this season.

"I don't know what I will do on June 30. What I do know is that I will need time to rest. I have had four years without a break due to the injuries. That is what I will do and then we will see."

Barcelona's midfielder Carles Puyol (R) leaves after an announcement at the Sports Center FC Barcelona Joan Gamper in Sant Joan Despi, near Barcelona on March 4, 2014 (AFP Photo/Lluis Gene) 

The announcement brings to an end an extraordinary career in the Barcelona first team that began in 1999. Puyol is the club's second most decorated player of all-time, behind only teammate Xavi Hernandez, having made 593 appearances.

After beginning his career as a right-back, Puyol was converted into one of the most successful centre-backs in world football over the past decade as he won three Champions Leagues and six La Liga titles with his boyhood club.

A number of Puyol's teammates past and present paid tribute to an historic figure in Spanish football.

"I will continue to enjoy being at your side until the end of this season. It has been an honour. I wish you the best for what is to come. There is no one like you captain," Andres Iniesta wrote on his official Facebook page.

"Thanks captain for all you have taught me. Good luck," Cesc Fabregas said in a tweet alongside a photo of the two of them just after Fabregas re-signed for the club in 2011.

Puyol was also a key part of the Spanish sides that won the European Championship in 2008 and the country's first World Cup in 2010, memorably heading home the goal that took his side to the final in South Africa with a 1-0 win over Germany.

"Carles is an example for everyone on and off the field," Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said on Tuesday.

In total he has represented Spain 100 times with his last appearance coming in a 3-1 friendly win over Uruguay in February 2013, making him one of only eight players to have won a century of caps with La Roja.

"He is a natural leader, a person that when you hear his name you think of Barcelona," added former Barca midfielder Thiago Alcantara, now of Bayern Munich.

"In the time I was there he was a reference on and off the pitch. Everyone knows him and whilst Puyol is in the world of football, he will be an example for everyone." (AFP)

READ MORE - Carles Puyol to leave Barcelona at end of season

Pellegrini turns on ref as City lose to Barca in Champions League

Pellegrini turns on ref as City lose to Barca in Champions League - Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini risks a UEFA sanction after launching a scathing attack on the match referee after his side's 2-0 loss to Barcelona in the Champions League.

Barcelona took charge of the last 16 tie thanks to a second-half penalty from Lionel Messi and a late Dani Alves strike at the Etihad Stadium in Tuesday's first leg, and Pellegrini blamed match official Jonas Eriksson for his side's defeat.

In a wide-ranging attack, Pellegrini accused Eriksson of making two mistakes over the penalty decision and even questioned why a Swedish official had been given control of the game.

He also said that Eriksson should not have been in charge because he had been criticised by Barcelona following his performance in their 0-0 draw at AC Milan in the quarter-finals of the 2011-12 competition.

Eriksson sent off City defender Martin Demichelis for bringing down Messi in the incident that yielded the 54th-minute penalty and Pellegrini said: "I think that the referee decided the game.

"Before the penalty there was the foul on (Jesus) Navas, when he (Eriksson) was three metres from the player, so he saw it without any problem.

Manchester City's Belgian defender Vincent Kompany (2nd R) reacts after Barcelona's goalkeeper Victor Valdes makes a save near his line at The Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northwest England on February 18, 2014 (AFP Photo/Paul Ellis)

"From the beginning I felt that the referee was not impartial to both teams. The penalty on Martin Demichelis was not a penalty -- it was outside the box."

Asked why he had spoken to Eriksson at the final whistle, Pellegrini replied: "Just to tell him that he had decided the game. He must be very happy, because he decided the game."

The Chilean added: "He didn't have any control of the game. He decided for Barcelona from the beginning until the end.

"I think it was not a good idea to put a referee from Sweden in such an important match and a referee that made such important mistakes against Barcelona (in an earlier match)."

When he was asked to explain his reservations about Eriksson's nationality, Pellegrini said: "I think there are more important football (nations) than Sweden in Europe.

Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring from a penalty kick at The Etihad Stadium in Manchester, on February 18, 2014 (AFP Photo/Paul Ellis)

"It was a big game with two important teams. I think maybe in that kind of game, you need a referee with more experience.

"I think the best (biggest) mistake was to put a referee that damaged Barcelona in the stage of group (sic).

"This referee whistled the Barcelona-Milan game and he made an important error against Barcelona. Today he arranged (atoned for it)."

With Pellegrini preoccupied by his gripes about Eriksson's performance, it was left to captain Vincent Kompany to vow that City had not given up on the tie.

"If the tempo was in this game, it would have been to our advantage," he told ITV.

Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi's successfully takes a penalty kick at The Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northwest England on February 18, 2014 (AFP Photo/Paul Ellis)

"If the game is the same as today, and we manage to stay away from some fouls, we have got a chance."

Barcelona manager Gerardo Martino felt that the outcome of the game was "fair", but he warned against complacency ahead of the second leg at Camp Nou on March 12.

"I'm not necessarily confident (about going through), but it's true that we've done a good game in the away leg," he said.

"We just have to repeat the same performance."

Media focus prior to the game had centred on the extent to which Barcelona have lost their mantle in the light of their 7-0 demolition by eventual champions Bayern Munich in last season's semi-finals.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho described Martino's side "as the worst Barcelona of many, many years" and Barca midfielder Cesc Fabregas said that he and his team-mates were pleased to have silenced their critics.

"We had a point to prove, and we did it very well," he told ITV.

"Some people were talking a bit too much before the game and now they have to shut up for a few days." (AFP)

READ MORE - Pellegrini turns on ref as City lose to Barca in Champions League

Messi always delivers when it matters most

Milla : Messi always delivers when it matters most - Former Barcelona midfielder Luis Milla has jumped to the defense of Lionel Messi, arguing that the Argentine always delivers when it matters most.

After coming in for some heavy criticism in recent weeks for some allegedly below-par displays following his return from a hamstring injury, the Blaugrana No.10 netted twice in a hard-earned 4-1 victory over Sevilla at the weekend that propelled the Catalans back to the top of the Primera Division.

Milla felt that the Albiceleste ace's display at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan simply proved that while form is temporary, class is permanent.

"When the going gets tough, Messi will come up with the goods, just like he's always done," the former Spain international is quoted as saying by Marca. "Messi is still getting into the swing of things. He has been struggling to get going, but he's an instrumental player and Barcelona needs him right now."

Milla, who also wore the Real Madrid jersey during his active career, then went on to discuss Andres Iniesta's contribution in recent weeks, stressing that the attacking midfielder remains instrumental for Barca.

"After his fitness issues, it's normal for Iniesta to be gradually eased back into the fold," he mused. "He looked better again versus Sevilla and is an instrumental player when he is on song. He gives the team a lot of breathing space when he links up with Messi and Xavi."

Iniesta has netted once for Barcelona in 21 Liga appearances this season. ( Goal.com )

READ MORE - Messi always delivers when it matters most

Messi eyes PSG return after avoiding serious injury

Messi eyes PSG return after avoiding serious injury - Lionel Messi underwent a special session at Barcelona on Thursday as he aims to recover from his hamstring problem in time for the Catalans club's Champions League semifinal second leg at home to Paris Saint-Germain next Wednesday.

Messi was withdrawn at halftime at the Parc des Princes after pulling up late in the first period, by which time he had already given Barca the lead in the first-leg match, which finished 2-2.

Thursday was a day off for the Barcelona squad, but Messi turned up for a double session with physio Juanjo Brau and is keen to play the return match versus PSG.

Messi eyes PSG return after avoiding serious injury

Tests on Wednesday revealed the problem to be less serious than the club had initially imagined, with the original prognosis estimating that the Argentine would be sidelined for around three weeks.

But Messi allayed fears as he wrote on his official Facebook page: "I will be back soon, luckily it [the injury] wasn't much."

The 25-year-old Messi will miss Saturday's match at home to Mallorca in La Liga, thereby ending his run of 19 consecutive rounds on the scoresheet. Messi has benefited from the Catalan club's calendar in that its match in Paris was played on Tuesday, with the return scheduled for Wednesday - an eight-day gap, as opposed to Real Madrid's six-day break between its two games against Galatasaray.

Adriano also has an outside chance of returning on Wednesday as well, as Barca hopes to bring back defenders to ease the current crisis, with Carles Puyol sidelined following a knee operation and Javier Mascherano stretchered off with ligament damage against PSG.
goal.com

READ MORE - Messi eyes PSG return after avoiding serious injury