“From a tight central pocket at 2–0, Messi calmly shapes a low left-foot finish just inside the post, the composed hat-trick strike that caps his 10/10 masterclass and becomes career goal number 427 and his 262nd in La Liga.”
Messi hits a ruthless La Liga hat-trick against Deportivo, turning 0.94 xG into three goals and underlining his total dominance over an opponent he now has 9 goals against in 9 meetings.
From the edge of the box on the right, Messi stands almost side‑on to goal yet whips a left‑footed shot across the keeper into the far top corner, sealing the 3–1 lead and completing his hat-trick for La Liga goal number 430.
From just outside the D, Messi stands almost square to goal yet threads a low left-footed shot through bodies into the far corner to break Almería’s resistance, a composed league winner that becomes career goal 361 and his 223rd in La Liga.
From a tight central pocket as Espanyol’s back line retreats, Messi calmly guides Adriano’s cutback inside the post with his left foot, a composed third of the night that turns a Barcelona derby hat-trick into yet another four-goal haul in his 76-goal season.
From a crowded central channel with barely any backlift, Messi threads a low left‑foot shot through defenders into the far corner to drag Barça level at 1–1, a deceptively simple equalizer that becomes La Liga goal number 213 and his 343rd career strike.