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| Lionel Messi hugs goalkeeper Victor Valdes as a relief for surviving a gritty Valencia side |
The Spanish champion was poised to cruise to an easy victory against Valencia after Lionel Messi scored a hat trick early in the first half but found themselves fighting to protect the three points just before the end of the half.
Messi opened the scoring in the 11th minute. The play began with Javi Fuego's pass intercepted by Sergio Busquets who tapped it to Fabregas. Fabregas flicks the ball to a streaking Messi who elude the tackle of goalkeeper Diego Alves into the empty Valencia goal. Adil Rami and Ricardo Costa tried to pursue Messi but they don't have much to do to stop Barcelona's top scorer from chalking his third league goal of the season.
Messi added another goal in the 38th minute with a similar play. Sergio Busquets grabbed possession from Ever Banega and then passed the ball to Fabregas who found Messi just at the edge of the penalty box, Messi then launched his attack to the goal and beat Adil Rami's challenge to send the ball at the back of the net. Three minutes later, Messi scored his hat trick. Cesc Fabregas passed the ball to Neymar on the left and found and unmark Messi in the middle who streaked towards the goal for an smooth finish. At that point, Barcelona seems to wrap up the night in a dominating fashion.
At injury time, Joao Perreira's cross finds Helder Postiga who volleyed the ball into the net sending fans at La Mestalla in wild celebration. A minute later, still in injury time, Helder Postiga scored his second goal with a header past Victor Valdes from a Ever Banega's corner. Barcelona's game starts to crumble under pressure.
The second half turned into a tug of war to score on both sides. Barcelona's greatest opportunity came in the 88th minute as Jordi Alba's close range shot and Lionel Messi's follow up were both brilliantly saved by Diego Alves to the delight of the Valencia crowd. Valencia best chance on the other hand, came in the 86th minute when Jonas shot hit the sidebar in what could have been the night's equalizer.
With the win, Barcelona, maintains its immaculate record while handing Valencia its first defeat of the season.
