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Lionel Messi’s late first half goal made him the all-time leading El Clasico goal scorer on Sunday, and he scored twice more in the second half for a hat trick in Barcelona’s 4-3 win over Real Madrid.

Barca struck first thanks to a perfectly-weighted pass from Messi that found Andres Iniesta at full stride, and he lashed a left-footed laser into the upper netting. It was a powerful strike that put the visitors ahead in the 7th minute.

Cristiano Ronaldo was harassed, banged and brutalized early as Barca looked to intimidate the Portuguese superstar, but he was still effective early.

Messi looked set to double Barca’s advantage in the 15th minute when the little Argentine made a brilliant onside run to set himself up to shoot, but his low shot streaked wide of the goal.

Madrid equalized before the clock struck 20, as Benzema headed Angel Di Maria’s cross off Victor Valdes outstretched hand and into the side netting. It was 1-1 and the Bernabeu was buzzing.

Di Maria was almost stretchered off after the play, but returned to the left flank. He fired a chest-high cross that Benzema took to feet before blasting past Valdes for a 2-1 Madrid lead in the 24th minute.

Benzema almost found a hat trick moments later, but Pique cleared the ball off the line.

Messi picked up a loose ball in the box and darted in a few steps before firing home with his left foot to tie the match 2-2. As Messi was celebrating his contribution to a 2-2 scoreline, there was chaos in the box as a confrontation led to a yellow card for Pepe, who went head-to-head with Cesc Fabregas. Plenty of play acting on the play.

Ronaldo scored on a penalty kick in the 54th minute after being brought down in the box to give Real Madrid a 3-2 lead, but Messi took over from there — and from the spot.

Sergio Ramos was sent off after bringing down Neymar in the box and Messi stepped up to finish the PK in the 65th minute. He completed the hat trick and the 4-3 win in the 84th minute after Xabi Alonso brought Iniesta down in the box. Messi fired his penalty kick over a diving Diego Lopez. The win puts Barcelona within one point of Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid as La Liga’s title race heats up.

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