Lionel Messi struck a hat-trick as Barcelonasecured a comfortable 3-1 victory over Leganes in a matchday 31 of La Liga at Camp Nou on Saturday.
Two more Lionel Messi goals in five minutes made the difference at half-time as Barcelona led Leganes 2-0. The first half brace by Messi saw the Argentine equal Mohamed Salah's league tally.
After the break, the away team refused to be boxed into a corner as Nabil El Zhar reduced the deficit with a well taken right-footed effort from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner.
Messi who came off the bench last weekend to force a draw at Sevilla after Barcelona had trailed for 88 minutes added Barcelona's third for his 29th goal of the season to send the home side 12 points clear at the top of the La Liga table.
SETTING THE SCENE
Barcelona brought in Thomas Vermaelen and Andre Gomes as the Catalans boss Ernesto Valverde opted to rest Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba and Andres Iniesta, with Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final second leg against Roma in mind.
Vermaelen was in at centre-back, Sergi Roberto moved over to the left of defence and Andre Gomes was given a chance to salvage his Barca career in the middle of the park.
Philippe Coutinho also returned on the left wing after being deemed ineligible for the 4-1 victory over Roma in midweek.
Barcelona before tonight had won all of their three previous meetings with Leganes, who have not won away from home since October.
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