Messi’s early left‑footed shot from the center of the box is pushed away from the bottom right corner by Urko Pardo after a pass from Pedro.

Messi slips a neat ball into the box for Luis Suárez, whose right‑footed shot from the center is saved by Urko Pardo.

Messi threads a through ball to Jordi Alba, who bursts into the box but drives his right‑footed effort just over the top right corner.

Messi carries the ball in the attacking half and draws a foul, winning a free kick for Barcelona.

Play is briefly halted as Messi receives treatment after a knock, but he is able to continue after the injury scare.

Messi sets up Ivan Rakitic on the right side of the box, but the Croatian’s right‑footed shot is blocked by the APOEL defense.

Messi lays the ball back for Rafinha outside the box, but the Brazilian’s left‑footed shot flies wide to the right.

Messi doubles Barcelona’s lead, arriving centrally to sweep Rafinha’s pass with his right foot into the bottom left corner from inside the box.

Messi feeds Luis Suárez in the area, but the Uruguayan’s right‑footed strike from the center of the box drifts just wide to the right.

Messi finds Pedro on the left side of the box, yet Pedro’s left‑footed attempt whistles just past the right post.

Messi times his run perfectly onto Dani Alves’s through ball and finishes with a precise right‑footed shot from the center of the box into the bottom left corner for his second of the night.

Messi links with Luis Suárez again, setting him up in the right side of the box, but Suárez’s left‑footed shot curls just wide of the far post.

Messi tees up Luis Suárez on the right side of the box, though the striker’s right‑footed shot is held by Urko Pardo in the center of the goal.

Suárez tries to slide a through ball to Messi, but the Argentine’s run is a fraction early and he is flagged offside.

Messi helps relieve pressure by drawing a foul in his own half, winning a defensive free kick for Barcelona.

Again in his defensive half, Messi shields the ball and is fouled, securing another free kick for Barcelona.

From a direct free kick outside the box, Messi’s left‑footed effort bends over the wall but drifts just wide to the left.

Completing his hat‑trick, Messi arrives at the left side of the six‑yard box to turn in Pedro’s pass with a close‑range right‑footed finish into the center of the goal.