January 23, 2012

Lionel Messi scored two typically brilliant goals and a rare header as Barcelona closed to within two points of the La Liga leaders Real Madrid with a 4-1 win at Malaga on Sunday.

The Argentina international leaped to nod Adriano’s floated cross into the bottom corner in the 33rd minute before Alexis Sánchez made it 2-0 three minutes into the second half. Any lingering hopes Malaga may have had were snuffed out three minutes later when Messi scored his second with a trademark run and finish that left the home defence in disarray.

The 24-year-old curled a free‑kick on to the underside of the crossbar 15 minutes from time before he again left his markers trailing to complete his hat-trick with nine minutes to go. That goal, his 22nd goal of the campaign, put him one ahead of the Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo at the top of the scorers chart. The Malaga substitute, Salomón Rondón scored a consolation for the home side five minutes from time.

“It was important to win today and I managed to get a few goals too so I am pleased all round,” said Messi. “All the games are tough when you are away from home but now we need to recuperate for what will definitely be a difficult match on Wednesday [when they face Real Madrid in the second leg of the Copa del Rey quarter-finals].”

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