Messi hat-trick gives Barca victory

A hat-trick from Lionel Messi was almost not enough for Barcelona as they let a three-goal deficit slip to beat Deportivo La Coruna 5-4.

With Barcelona looking to continue their 100 per cent start to the campaign, it was no fluke that they came out of the blocks the quicker of the two sides.

And it couldn't have got any better for Tito Vilanova's side, as Alba opened the scoring after just two minutes. A pass from Cesc Fabregas found the former Valencia man, and he slotted the ball into the back of the net from eight yards out.

The home side were completely shell-shocked, and it got even worse just five minutes later. Tello, on the right-hand side of the area, got past his marker, and smashed the ball through the legs of Daniel Aranzubia.

The Blaugrana were completely dominating all facets of the game, and they made it 3-0 on 18 minutes. Fabregas, again the instigator, backheeled the ball to Messi, who blasted his shot from the edge of the area, into the top right-hand corner.

Slowly though, Jose Luis Oltra's men were getting back into the game, and they pulled one back on 27 minutes. Javier Mascherano brought down Riki inside the area, and Pizzi was there to make it 3-1.

The Turcos were really fired up now, and with just five minutes until half time, they unbelievably made it 3-2. A corner from the right-hand side came to Bergantinos on the edge of the area, and his low drive was fumbled by Victor Valdes into the back of the net.

That one-goal deficit didn’t last until the interval though, as Fabregas once more, found Messi, and the Argentina forward hit it with his right foot and into the far corner.

The game continued after the interval the way it left off, and within two minutes of the restart, Deportivo were back in the game. A free kick from Pizzi, 25 yards out, flew into the top right-hand corner, leaving Valdes with no chance.

It went from bad to worse for the Catalan club two minute later however, as Mascherano was given a second yellow card for a foul on Riki.

The ten-men made a host of changes on the hour-mark to sure up the game, and it was largely successful.

Xavi and Adriano came on, but it was Messi who secured the three points. On 77 minutes, the Argentina international skipped past Carlos Marchena, took the ball to the edge of the area, and smashed it past Aranzubia for his hat-trick.

Still, this amazing game wasn't over, as a cross from the left-hand side went to Alba, who tried to pass the ball back to his goalkeeper, but lobbed Valdes and scored a quite remarkable own goal.

That was to be the last drama in this amazing game, as Barcelona held out for a hard-fought win.

 

Deportivo 4-5 Barcelona

Scorers: Pizzi pen 27, 47 (D) Bergantinos 38 (D), Alba OG 79 (D); Alba 2 (B), Tello 8 (B), Messi 18, 43, 77 (B)

Deportivo: Aranzubia; Laure, Marchena, Ze Castro, Ayoze; Bergantinos, Aguilar; Gama, Valeron (Camunas 61), Pizzi; Riki.

Barcelona: Valdes; Montoya, Song, Mascherano, Alba; Fabregas (Xavi 61), Busquets, Iniesta; Tello (Pedro 56), Messi, Villa (Adriano 54)

Sending off: Mascherano 50 (B)

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