Lionel Messi scored a hat trick for FC Barcelona as the Catalan club routed Almeria 8-0 in Spanish La Liga action on Saturday. The margin of victory ties Barca’s 1959 8-0 win against Las Palmas as the largest in club history.
Messi scored in the 17th, 37th and 67th minutes to move to a league-leading 13 goals for the campaign and 101 for his league career. In so doing, Messi becomes only the fourth Barcelona player go pass the 100-goal mark.
Substitute Bojan Krkic scored twice while Spain internationals Andres Iniesta and Pedro Rodriguez also notched goals for Barca.
Almería: Diego Alves; Michel, Carlos García, Santi Acasiete, Juanma Ortiz; M’Bami, Bernardello, Fabián Vargas; Corona, Piatti, Goitom.
Barcelona: Víctor Valdés; Dani Alves, Puyo, Fontás, Maxwell; Xavi (Thiago, m. 46), Mascherano, Iniesta (Keita, m. 46); Pedro (Bojan, m. 55), Messi, Villa.
Goals: 0-1, m. 16: Messi. 0-2, m. 18: Iniesta. 0-3, m. 26: Acasiete en propia meta. 0-4, m. 35: Pedro. 0-5, m. 36: Messi. 0-6, mm. 61: Bojan. 0-7, m. 66: Messi. 0-8, m. 77: Bojan.