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Valencia logo
La Liga
Sep 1, 2013 at 8pm UK
 
Barcelona logo

2-3

Postiga (45')
FT(HT: 1-3)
Messi (11', 39', 43')

Lionel Messi hat-trick downs Valencia

Barcelona beat Valencia 3-2 at the Mestalla thanks to a first-half hat-trick from Lionel Messi.

Barcelona have maintained their 100% start to the La Liga season at the expense of Valencia in this evening's match at the Mestalla.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the match against Valencia on September 1, 2013© AFP

The visitors made a bright start and deservedly took the lead in the 11th minute, with Cesc Fabregas finding Lionel Messi, who rounded Diego Alves to slip into an empty net.

Los Che came close to levelling the score in the 38th minute, but Dorlan Pabon's shot was well saved by Victor Valdes. The home side had no answer for what was to come next, as Messi and Neymar terrorised the defence.

The Argentinian grabbed his second of the game just moments after Valdes's save and went on to complete his hat-trick in the 41st minute when his Brazilian teammate set him up from close range.

Just as the match was getting away from Miroslav Dukic's men, Helder Postiga set about making the Serb's half-time team talk a more positive one with two goals in quick succession - the first a stunning volley.

Messi wasted a couple of glorious opportunities to add to the score late on, but it was the post that came to Barca's rescue when Jonas had Valdes beaten in the 90th minute.

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Barcelona's Lionel Messi is congratulated by team mate Pedro after scoring his team's second goal against Levante on August 18, 2013
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona14111242142834
2Real Madrid1393128111730
3Atletico MadridAtletico148512181329
4Villarreal137422521425
5Athletic Bilbao146532013723
6Osasuna146441922-322
7GironaGirona146352018221
8Mallorca146351312121
9Real BetisBetis145541616020
10Real Sociedad145361111018
11Celta Vigo145362224-218
12Sevilla145361318-518
13Rayo Vallecano134451314-116
14Leganes143561319-614
15Getafe142751011-113
16AlavesAlaves144191524-913
17Las PalmasLas Palmas143381825-712
18Valencia122461219-710
19Espanyol133191226-1410
20Real ValladolidValladolid142391027-179


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