Lionel Messi's 3 finest El Clasico performances

#2 2013-14 LaLiga: Madrid 3-4 Barcelona

Lionel Messi

Defending champions Barcelona traveled to the Bernabeu to face a side unbeaten in 31 home games in all competitions - which included a 17-game winning run. But both streaks were to come to a close at the end of the game.

It was the visitors who took first blood courtesy Andres Iniesta's fine 7th minute opener. Karim Benzema's quickfire brace put the home side into the lead which they would have carried till the breather if not for Gerard Pique's goal-line clearance off Benzema and Lionel Messi's 42nd minute intervention at the other end.

Cristiano Ronaldo restored Madrid's lead from the spot early into the second period but Messi once again brought the visitors on level terms as the game passed the hour mark. Sergio Ramos' 73rd minute red card changed the complexion of the game as Madrid looked intent to settle for a draw.

Barcelona sensed the opportunity to clinch all three points and did so when a foul on Iniesta inside the Madrid penalty box six minutes from time allowed Messi to slot in his second spot kick of the night and win the game for the visitors.

It was Messi's second consecutive hat-trick in a Liga game after netting three against Osasuna. The diminutive Argentinian moved into sole second place in the all-time Liga scoring charts and Barcelona breathed new life into the Liga title race.

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