Messi hits hat-trick as Barcelona escapes with 5-4 win over Deportivo

  Mascherano was handed the red card when he is booked again at the 49 th minutes leaving Barcelona to 10 men only.Barcelona made it 12 matches unbeaten in La Liga courtesy of an astonishing 5-4 victory over Deportivo at the Riazor on Saturday evening, in a thrilling match that saw six goals scored before half-time.  Well-taken strikes from Jordi Alba, Cristian Tello and Lionel Messi made it 3-0 to Tito Vilanova's side inside 20 minutes, before Pizzi reduced the deficit with a penalty. Alex Bergantinos then beat Valdes with a half-volley from distance before Messi made it 4-2 with a low finish from 15 yards shortly before the break. 

  Pizzi grabbed his second with a fine free-kick shortly after half-time before Barcelona's Javier Mascherano was sent off for a second yellow card after an altercation with Riki. Messi completed his hat-trick with an explosive run and finish in the 77th minute, but there was still time for more drama as Alba sent a volley past his own goalkeeper Victor Valdes to make it 5-4. 

  The Catalan side were able to hold on, however, to maintain their position at the top of the Primera Division table.

  Messi did eventually notch his third of the night in the 77th minute. After dispossessing Ze Castro 45 yards from goal, the Argentine powered towards the Deportivo goal before unleashing an unstoppable shot into the bottom right corner with his left foot. 

  A moment of madness from Alba supplied Deportivo with a lifeline, as he volleyed the ball into his own net under pressure from Riki inside the Barcelona penalty area to make the score 5-4.Deportivo committed men forward late on as they went in search of an equaliser but Barcelona's makeshift defence managed to withstand the pressure and hold out for all three points in what was one of the most engrossing, unlikely, incredible encounters of the season.

  Start of an incredible season, but Tito must seriously think over his defender options. And it will be a must to add at least one defender during the January transfer window. And Victor Valdes should be more careful as he is playing from Barcelona which is having some defensive crisis over the past few months. He should try to keep clean sheet. With such show tonight Barcelona will find it more difficult to win over clinical finishing teams like Athletico Madrid, real Madrid etc.

Categories: Barcelona , Fabregas , La Liga , Lionel Messi , Messi Hattrick