adminLionel Messi stole the show by breaking Barcelona’s all-time goalscorer record, including friendlies, by bagging a hat-trick in the club’s 7-0 thrashing of Osasuna yesterday.The Argentina international was already the club’s leading goalscorer in official matches, but reached another milestone yesterday as he surpassed Paulino Alcantara’s mark of 369, which included goals in friendlies.
Barcelona’s comfortable win represented the perfect tonic for head coach Gerardo Martino, who witnessed his side produce a masterclass in front of their home support.
The trainer has faced criticism after overseeing three defeats in the space of six league games, including a shock 1-0 reverse at relegation-threatened Valladolid last weekend.
Barca answered their critics in some style, however, with Alexis Sanchez, Andres Iniesta, Cristian Tello and Pedro also getting their names on the scoresheet, ensuring the Catalans will head into next weekend’s Clasico with rivals Real Madrid in confident mood.
After Messi had opened the scoring to move level with Alcantara’s record, Alexis doubled the advantage from close range and Iniesta let fly with an unstoppable 25-yarder to make it 3-0 by half-time.
Alcantara’s record was then surpassed by Messi’s fierce strike from a tight angle shortly after the hour mark and substitute Tello added a fine individual goal before Messi struck again and laid on the seventh for Pedro.
The result leaves Barcelona third, four points adrift of Liga leaders Real ahead of their crucial meeting, while Osasuna stay 15th, just three points clear of the drop zone.
Osasuna started in a positive manner and the hosts were handed a huge reprieve in the 10th minute.
Emiliano Armenteros’ initial effort was parried by Victor Valdes and Oriol Riera tapped home the rebound, only for his celebrations to be curtailed by the linesman’s offside flag.
Osasuna remained keen to take the game to Barca, but were punished by a fine move from the hosts after 18 minutes.- goal.com.
derick.khumalo