Messi bags hat-trick as Barca thump Granada

Posted Sunday, January 10, 2016 by foxsportsasia.com

Lionel Messi scored his 33rd career hat-trick as Barcelona beat Granada 4-0 in La Liga on Saturday.

Barcelona 4-0 Granada

Messi scores twice in opening 15 minutes

Suarez fires wide from in front

Messi taps in for hat-trick after the break

Neymar adds a fourth late in the game

Match Summary

Lionel Messi was at his brilliant best, scoring twice in the first 15 minutes at Nou Camp before adding his third just before the hour mark.

The match lost its shape in the final quarter following several substitutions on both sides, but there was still time for Neymar to make it 4-0 in the 83rd minute.

The victory lifts the Spanish giants to the top of the table, one point clear of Atletico Madrid.

Full Report

Barca thought they'd scored through Jordi Alba in just the fourth minute of the match, but the referee ruled that the left-back was offside when he collected a pass from Lionel Messi.

Four minutes later, however, they did have their opener as Arda Turan played provider for Messi, who converted from close range. There was a hint of offside about this one as well, but this time the flag stayed down.

Messi had his second just six minutes later, Luis Suarez this time on hand with the assist, firing in a low cross before his attacking partner converted from a tight angle.

Suarez should have made it 3-0 in the 27th minute after combining with Neymar, but he somehow missed the target from inside the box.

The hosts continued to press before and after the break and the pressure finally told once more on 58 minutes, with Neymar hitting the post before Messi tapped in the rebound to notch up a hat-trick in the simplest of fashions.

A rash of substitutions followed in the final period of the match, leading to a stop-start affair, but there was still time for Neymar to add a fourth after latching onto a fantastic through ball from Suarez seven minutes from time.