a Neymar hat-trick inspired Barcelona to a
crushing 6-0 win over Granada on Saturday.
The Argentina forward was unable to reach the
landmark in Wednesday's disappointing 0-0
draw at Malaga, but Granada could not keep him
at bay as he chalked up his 400th and 401st
strikes on a day that saw Neymar run riot at
Camp Nou.
Luis Enrique's men were already well on their
way to victory - courtesy of two goals from
Neymar and an Ivan Rakitic strike - before the
27-year-old Messi took his La Liga goal tally to
248 in the second half, lifting him to within three
of Telmo Zarra's record of 251.
Neymar went on to score a third after Messi
turned provider and the latter completed the
scoring in the closing stages as Barca continued
their unbeaten start to life under Luis Enrique.
The coach will also take pleasure from a sixth
successive Liga clean sheet, which ensures
Barca have still to concede a goal in the Spanish
top flight this season.
Luis Enrique called on his men to maximise
Messi's influence following a tepid display in
Malaga, but they were almost playing catch-up
after only seven minutes.
Following wonderful wing play from Dimitri
Foulquier, Youssef El Arabi produced an
improvised finish after stumbling to the ground,
only to see his effort come back off the crossbar.
That let-off seemed to spark Barca into life and
Munir El Haddadi should have netted the opener a
few moments later, the 19-year-old missing the
target from four yards after receiving Jeremy
Mathieu's cushioned volley across the face of
goal.
The breakthrough eventually arrived in the 26th
minute. Neymar latched on to Hector Yuste's
dreadful pass across his own half and, after
running at Jean-Sylvain Babin, the Brazilian saw
his effort deflect off the defender and over the
helpless Roberto.
Barca continued to enjoy the majority of
possession and effectively secured three points
in the lead up to half-time.
Rakitic grabbed the second goal with a glancing
header from Messi's delightful cross, before
Neymar pounced on a loose ball in the area and
coolly slotted into the top-right corner of an
empty net for number three.
Unsurprisingly, Barcelona's domination continued
into the second half and Roberto had to work
hard to prevent the hosts extending their lead.
There was little the goalkeeper could do in the
62nd minute, though, as Messi headed in Dani
Alves' devilish cross and the Catalans' fifth soon
followed.
After a free-flowing move, Messi turned supplier
again as he picked out Neymar in the area and
the tricky Brazilian showed admirable composure
to stroke home.
A resounding win was completed in the 82nd
minute as Messi robbed Jeison Murillo and lifted
a clever finish over Roberto, doubling his tally for
the day and taking him on to 248 La Liga goals.
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