Barcelona vs Real Madrid: Messi hat-trick sees Barca edge Real in 7-goal 'El Clasico'

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.

Click see the goals that gave Barcelona Real joy

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 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.

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 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.

FULL TIME

Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick as Barcelona downed Real Madrid in their own backyard of the Bernabeu 4-3 in the 'El Clasico' on Sunday night.

With this win Gerardo Martino's side narrowed the gap on his counterpart Carlo Ancelotti's side and Atletico Madrid by one point as just nine games remain to decide who wil be champions of the La Liga.

Earlier Atletico beat Real Betis to move to 70 points the same as Real but Atletico top the table by virtue of head-to-head with Madrid.

Barca were off to a cracker with Iniesta scoring as early as the 7th minute to set the tone for a heady cocktail.

But Karim Benzema came up with two goals in four minutes to shock Barcelona.

Just before the breather Messi came up with his trademark run and after a passing bout with Neymar scored.

Real went up again in the 55th minute when Ronaldo faked a foul by Alves. It looked like it happened outside the box but the referee awarded a penalty and the Portugal striker scored.

But it had to be Messi's day as he scored twice from the spot in what was one of the best 'El Clasicos' of all time.

84" GOAL! Messi scores from the spot to become highest scorer in La Liga.

78" Both teams getting more physical as lot of tackles result in players play-acting and breaking the momentum of the game. 

75" Fabregas is substituted and Sanchez is in.

73" Dani Alves hits the post after Messi does the spadework.

67" Real and Barca make a change each with Benzema and Neymar heading to the showers.

This is a record for the Argentinian scoring 235th goal to break Hugo Sanchez La Liga record and remain second highest top scorer..

65" GOAL! Messi scores from the spot after Neymar is looked to have been fouled by Ramos who is red carded.

Real Madrid 3 (Benzema 20" 24" Ronaldo 55") Barcelona 3 (Iniesta 7" Messi 42" 65")

60" Iniesta sends a half volley booming shot which just sails over the crosspiece. Near miss that was.

57" Ronaldo on left crosses for Benzema, good work there as he backheels to Bale but Valdes cuts the angle and Bale shoots into the goalkeeper.

55" GOAL! Ronaldo scores from the spot after he is tripped outside the box by Dani Alves.

Real Madrid 3 (Benzema 20" 24" Ronaldo 55") Barcelona 2 (Iniesta 7" Messi 42")

52" Bale does a fine job with a through ball for Benzema and all he had to do was beat Valdes which he fails to do.

49" Barcelona look a little more composed now as Messi and Neymar come in to their own with some nice one touch passing.

HALF TIME

Real Madrid 2 (Benzema 20" 24") Barcelona 2 (Iniesta 7" Messi 42")

Lionel Messi scored the equaliser for Barcelona to become the joint-second highest top scorer in La Liga history. His 234th goal put him on level with Hugo Sanchez and more importantly he scored when Barcelona were down 2-1 against Real Madrid in the 'Clasico' at the Bernabeu on Sunday night.

Earlier, Iniesta gave Barcelona the perfect start with a booming shot into the roof of the net as early as the 7th minute to set the tone for a heady cocktail.

Few minutes later Messi should have doubled the lead when he beat an off-side trap and was all alone till he tried to beat Lopez in goal with an angled shot which went wide.

On the other side Benzema was having a nightmare having missed two good opportunities until he finally found the net in the 20th minute after some good work by Angel Di Maria on the left.

Four minutes later it was Benzema and Di Maria again. The Spanish left winger worked his magic on the left and crossed for Benzema to do the needful.

But just as the match was heading into half time Messi and Neymar worked out their first move with the Argentinian showing his class with a well placed shot giving Lopez no chance whatsoever.

42" GOAL! Messi scores after a one-two with Neymar. Fabregas and Pepe are then shown the yellow for a tussle after the goal.

Real Madrid 2 (Benzema 20" 24") Barcelona 1 (Iniesta 7" Messi 42")

36" YELLOW! Di Maria is booked for a tackle from behind on Neymar.

35" Ten minutes to go for half time and the Barca fans are yet to see Messi or Neymar show the kind of understanding shown so far by Di Maria and Benzema.

32" Good counter from Real after Barca had entered their territory but Ronaldo is stopped in his tracks.

26" Di Maria and Benzema drive the Barcelona defence ragged. Another cross from Maria and Benzema traps it on his thighs and has a left footer saved by Pique on the goalline.

24" GOAL! Benzema makes amends of his earlier misses and this time fires home a classic but thanks to Di Maria who again sends an inch perfect pass from the left.

Real Madrid 2 (Benzema 20" 24") Barcelona 1 (Iniesta 7")

20" GOAL! Benzema connects a header off a Di Maria cross which Valdes gets his fingertips to but the ball is at the back of the net and Valdes has his hands on his head.

Real Madrid 1 (Benzema 20") Barcelona 1 (Iniesta 7")

18" On the other side Neymar shows poor finishing after Messi sends another defence-splitting through ball.

18" Poor shot there by Ronaldo as Valdes collects easily.

15" Messi beats the off-side trap and is all alone but tries an angled shot with only Lopez in goal and is wide off the target. 

11" Benzema misses two goals in double quick time. On both occasions he was fed by Gareth Bale and Angel Di Maria and on both occasions he was in the clear to score. If only Ronaldo was in his position?

10" Ronaldo is again brought down but instead of playing to the whistle lets the ball away from his grasp.

7" GOAL! What a beauty of a pass from Messi which beats the Real defence and Iniesta, with his first touch, on the left sends a booming shot to the roof of the net past a hapless Lopez.

Real Madrid 0 Barcelona 1 (Iniesta 7") 

4" Ronaldo looks for a foul in the box as he thinks he was brought down by Alves but referee Alberto is unmoved.

3" From the counter Neymar speeds from the right into the Real goal but takes a weak shot which fails to trouble Lopez.

3" Xavi tries to make inroads but can't get past a crowded Real defence.

Real get the 'Clasico' started.

Yes, it's that moment as both the teams are out from their tunnels and into the middle.

Five minutes left and the tension is palpable in Madrid.

Ten minutes to go and both teams warm up in the centre of the Bernabeu.

A win for Real could take them seven points clear of their rivals Barca and three ahead of Atletico who are also on 70 points after their 2-0 win over Real Betis earlier in the day.

This could be Victor Valdes' last 'Clasico' for Barcelona. The 32-year-old will be leaving the Camp Now at the end of his contract.

Thirty minutes to go as the countdown begins for the much anticipated 'Clasico'.

Diego Lopez gets the nod ahead of Iker Casillas in goal while Alexis Sanchez makes way for Fabregas in their home match. Neymar, who hasn't scored in five games, is good to play alongside Messi for Barcelona as less than 45 minutes of time left for action to pick up at the Bernabeu in Madrid.

STARTING XI

Barcelona: Valdes, Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Jordi Alba, Sergio, Xavi, Iniesta, Cesc, Messi, Neymar.

Real Madrid: Diego Lopez, Pepe, Ramos, Ronaldo, Benzema, Bale, Marcelo, Alonso, Carvajal, Modric, Di Maria.

An hour to go for the 'El Clasico' and we are eagerly waiting for the starting line up as news pours in that Atletico Madrid by virtue of their 2-0 win over Real Betis earlier in the day have temporarily taken top spot of the La Liga table. 

TEAM NEWS

Gareth Bale is expected to return to Real Madrid's starting XI for the visit of rivals Barcelona later tonight.

Luka Modric, Angel Di Maria and Karim Benzema should also start after being rested against Schalke, but Jese (knee) will miss the rest of the season.

Barca boss Gerardo Martino has a fully-fit squad as he takes charge of his first El Clasico at the Bernabeu.

Neymar and Cesc Fabregas, who both sat out last weekend's 7-0 win over Osasuna, are expected to return.

PROBABLE FORMATIONS

Real: 4-3-3

Barcelona: 4-3-3

STAT ATTACK

1 The number of ‘Clasico’ games Real coach Carlo Ancelotti and his Barca counterpart Gerardo Martino have each presided over.

1 Barca won the first meeting between these two teams 2-1 at the Nou Camp in October.

18 The number of goals scored by Lionel Messi in official ‘Clasicos’. Ronaldo has 12 for Real.

31 The number of games in all competitions that Real are unbeaten in since they lost to Barca in October. Of those they have won 26 and drawn five.

90 The number of times Real have beaten Barca in official ties, with 88 wins for Barca and 48 draws.

PREVIEW

Barcelona boss Gerardo Martino has admitted that his side need to beat Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday if they are to have any chance of retaining their La Liga title.

Three defeats in their last seven La Liga games have left the Catalans four points behind leaders Madrid with just 10 games remaining.

And with Real having not lost in any competition since the sides last met in October, Martino knows Barca have a unique opportunity to get themselves back into the title race.

"I think it is probably the last chance we will have because after this game there are only nine games left and it is not the same thing to come back from one point behind to four or seven," he said on Saturday.

"Teams at this point of the season, particularly those ones fighting for the league, don't make that many slip ups.

"I don't think a draw is a good result for us. The circumstances of the game always indicate whether it is a good result or not as well, but I think it is clear that we need to win the game tomorrow."

Barca's away form has been the principal reason that they have ceded an early season advantage over Madrid as they have won just one of five league games on the road in 2014, including defeats at Real Sociedad and Valladolid.

However, Martino's men did manage a 2-0 win away to Manchester City last month which guided them into the quarter-finals of the Champions League and he is looking for a repeat of that performance at the Bernabeu.

"It is true that there have been games away from home where we have not played well, but there have also been some important ones where we have.

"We have to think more about what we did in Manchester than what we did in Valladolid and try to aim for that type of performance."

Neymar is expected to be recalled by Martino despite the fine form shown by Pedro Rodriguez and Alexis Sanchez in Barca's 7-0 destruction of Osasuna last weekend.

The Brazilian star has had an underwhelming first season in Spain with controversy over his transfer from Santos dominating the headlines rather than his performances on the field.

Yet, Martino insisted that the 22-year-old has nothing to prove and claims Brazilian star Neymar remains "one of the top five players in the world" despite his stuttering start to life with the Catalans.

Neymar is expected to return to Martino's starting line-up for Barca's huge La Liga clash away to Real Madrid on Sunday after sitting out last weekend's 7-0 thrashing of Osasuna as an unused substitute.

And Martino insisted in his press conference ahead of the Madrid match that he had merely handed the striker a well-deserved rest against Osasuna after his exertions in the 2-1 win over Manchester City four days earlier.

"Firstly, I think he played very well against Manchester City in the second leg and, secondly, I will reaffirm what I have said many times that Neymar is one of the top five players in the world.

"I don't need to see one match, half a match, nor even 10 matches to confirm the qualities that he has. I don't think it will be long before people stop talking about him like just another player because he isn't."

Martino also admitted that his side will travel to the Spanish capital knowing that they have to win to retain their league title having fallen four points behind Real with just 10 games to go.

"I think it is probably the last chance we will have because after this game there are only nine games left and it is not the same thing to come back from one point behind to four or seven."

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti said it made no difference to his pre-match preparation whether Neymar started ahead of Pedro Rodriguez or Alexis Sanchez for the visitors at the Santiago Bernabeu.

However, he is backing Gareth Bale to outshine the Brazilian in the battle of last summer's big-money buys.

Bale was a peripheral figure as Neymar stole the show in Barca's 2-1 win over Real last October, but having recovered top form and fitness, Ancelotti believes the Welshman will make a big impact.

"He is in good shape. His physical condition is very important for him and I am sure he will play very well," said the Italian.

"He is in really good condition and we are very happy with him. He had some problems at the start of the season but now he is looking good and we hope that will continue until the end of the season."

Ancelotti also confirmed that Karim Benzema has recovered from the bruised thigh that kept him out of Wednesday's 3-1 win over Schalke.

The Frenchman's return means he will be join Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo in attack as the trio look to add to the 76 goals they have scored in all competitions so far this season.

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