03/20/12
Barcelona tonight defeated Granada by five goals to three but the story of the night belongs to Lionel Messi who broke Cesar's record with another hat-trick.
Messi was only a goal behind Cesar Rodriguez's all-time club record of 232 goals prior to the game and tonight he scored another breathtaking hat-trick to take his goal tally to 234 club goals and 34 league goals so far this season. It was a marvelous night for the Argentine genius.
Xavi gave Barcelona the lead after just four minutes. Cuenca's cross was met by the head of Messi who guided the ball into Xavi's path. The Catalan maestro volleyed first time into the corner to send the home crowd delirious.
Messi got the goal soon after that would take him level with Cesar as Barcelona's record goalscorer. Again it was Cuenca who delivered a good cross and Messi met it with a half-volley to send the ball low into the net off the post. It was incredible technique and a very difficult skill to execute.
Granada gave Barcelona a scare in the second period. They got a goal back through the head of Mainz in the 55th minute and then struck level after Alves conceded a penalty. Siqueira made no mistake from the penalty spot to put the score level.
Messi then got his second of the night in the 67th minute and the goal that makes him Barcelona's new record goalscorer. Alves' lofted pass was timed perfectly to send Messi through. He took a quick touch and lobbed the goalkeeper in a way only Messi can do.
Tello then scored in the 82nd minute to make it 4-2 after Messi's shot had been saved. Tello's reaction to the follow up was terrific and struck a low shot into the corner with incredible technique.
Barcelona got their fifth and Lionel Messi got his hat-trick in the 86th minute. Alves again played a telepathic through-ball to Messi who rounded the goalkeeper and sent the ball into the roof of the net.
Granada scored another penalty in the dying minutes through Siqueira to make it 5-3, once again Alves conceding for a handball. Alves was shown the red card to give the game a bitter-sweet feeling.
The night of course belonged to Lionel Messi, the new record scorer of FC Barcelona. Messi now has 234 goals for the club and an astonishing 34 league goals, 2 ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo. It is the 18th match in which Messi has scored at least 3 goals for Barcelona; 15 times a hat-trick, twice four goals and once five goals.
Congratulations to Messi! Felicidades Leo!
