Hats off to Sevilla’s tormentor Messi

LIONEL MESSI scored the 50th hattrick of his career as Barcelona twice came from behind to defeat Sevilla 4-2 in La Liga.

Messi’s goalscoring love affair with Sevilla continued at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium as he has now scored more goals against them than any other team – 36 in 35 matches, including what is now three hat-tricks.

It is also a new La Liga record for most goals against an opponent, taking his tally to 28 against Sevilla, pulling away from a tie with former Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo, who had netted 25, also against Sevilla.

Sevilla’s opener came from a misplaced pass from Messi (right) which found Quincy Promes, resulting in Ben Yedder picking out Jesus Navas inside the area, leaving the midfielder to drive home his first goal for 13 months.

The home side’s lead was shortlived, however, as just four minutes later Messi cracked home a stunning 16-yard volley when meeting a leftwing cross from Ivan Rakitic.

Defying their form going into the game – one win in eight league games – Sevilla went into the break with a 2-1 lead courtesy of Gabriel Mercado’s third goal of the season in the 42nd minute, with the Argentine defender striking home from eight yards after Pablo Sarabia had collected Barcelona keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s kick.

It could have been worse for Barca as on the stroke of half-time Simon Kjaer headed a Promes cross wide.

The visitors piled on the pressure after the break, with Ousmane Dembele mistiming a shot, followed by Messi seeing another effort blocked by Navas. Just after the hour mark Barca’s little wizard played in an out-of-form Luis Suarez, and despite a challenge from Kjaer and penalty appeals, referee Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz dismissed the claims and opted not to consult VAR. Midway through the half Messi equalised for the second time, curling home a superb strike past goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik, whose poor kick to Dembele allowed the young French star to tee up his mercurial teammate. Five minutes from time Messi then netted the 650th goal of his career, delightfully chipping the ball over Vaclik after a shot from Carles Alena had been blocked. Suarez wrapped up the result in injury time, ending a six-game scoreless run with a lob over Vaclik, courtesy of a Messi pass.