Lionel Messi scored another hat-trick to lead FC Barcelona to an impressive 5-0 victory over Levante on Sunday at Camp Nou in Barcelona, Spain.
Brazilian talisman Neymar opened the scoring parade for FC Barcelona as he netted the first goal of the match in the 17th minute. Messi then gave Barca a 2-0 lead in the 38th minute and scored his second in the 59th minute.
The Argentine superstar, who has broke the scoring record in Spanish La Liga and UEFA Champions League this season, completed his hat trick off a penalty in the 65th minute before Luis Suarez sealed the victory with a highlight bicycle kick eight minutes later.
Aside from scoring his 23rd hat-trick on Sunday, Messi also broke the La Liga record for assists when he tallied his 106th with a cross converted by Neymar - the opening goal of the blowout victory.
FC Barcelona have now won 11 consecutive matches in all competitions, tying the record Barca set under former coach Pep Guardiola during the 2008-09 season, but current coach Luis Enrique said that the record will mean nothing if they will not win a trophy this season.
"I did not know we had equaled that record," Enrique said in a post-match press conference. "I am not that interested. We will judge that when the season is over. If we win trophies, it will be very good."
With the victory, FC Barcelona managed to stay within striking distance of league-leading Real Madrid in the Spanish La Liga title race. Real Madrid are on top of the La Liga table with 57 points in 23 matches, while FC Barcelona have 56 points also in 23 games.
Atletico Madrid are still third in the standings with 50 points, but they are now seven points behind Real Madrid after absorbing a tough 2-0 loss to Celta Vigo on Sunday in Balaidos.
Both teams failed to score in the first 45 minutes of the match. Nolito then gave Celta Vigo the lead with a goal from the penalty line in the 59th minute, which was followed by another goal from Fabian Orellana in 71st minute.
Atletico Madrid played without suspended midfielder Arda Turan and injured playmaker Koke, but coach Diego Simeone offered no excuses, admitting that his combination did not work well and Celta Vigo managed to capitalize.
"We started the second half well, but then came the episode of the penalty and then the second goal," Simeone said after the match. "Celta played well, a good game, and deserved to win."
Spanish La Liga Week 23 will commence Monday with a match between Eibar and Elche in Ipurua, 2:45 p.m. EST.
