Messi and Ronaldo Watch: Ronaldo Hits Derby Hat Trick, Messi Rescues Barca

This week in the Messi and Ronaldo watch: Lionel Messi scores a match-winning brace, Cristiano Ronaldo hits a hat trick and both of their teams keep on winning.

After another week of terrorizing defenses, Ronaldo and Messi both have 41 league goals this season. Heading into the stretch run, Ronaldo's Real Madrid lead Messi's Barcelona by four points atop the league table.

Keep reading for full highlights and a look ahead to what should be an important week.

Ronaldo Hits Derby Hat Trick

Real Madrid whipped crosstown rivals Atletico Madrid 4-1 on Wednesday behind Cristiano Ronaldo's seventh hat trick of the season.

The Portuguese superstar opened the scoring in the 25th minute with a gorgeous, long-range free kick. That goal appears in the video at left.

Falcao equalized for Atletico in the 55th minute, but Ronaldo got Real the lead back 13 minutes later with another golazo. Click here to watch it.

Ronaldo completed his hat trick with an 83rd-minute penalty. It was his 20th away goal in the league this season—a new record.

Jose Maria Callejon scored Real's fourth in the 87th minute.

Click here for full highlights from the match and here for Ronaldo's highlights.

Messi Launches a Rocket Against Getafe

Barcelona routed Getafe 4-0 on Tuesday to temporarily move within one point of Real Madrid at the top of the La Liga table.

Messi scored once and was booked for a handball in the second half. In the 44th minute, Messi combined with Andres Iniesta near the edge of the box, then rocketed a high shot into the top corner.

The goal was Messi's 199th under manager Pep Guardiola, and it appears in the video at left.

Full highlights of the match are here. Messi's individual highlights are here.

Ronaldo Nets Winner

Real Madrid maintained their four-point lead atop La Liga with a 3-1 win over Sporting Gijon on Saturday.

Madrid trailed midway through the first half but equalized before halftime and scored twice in the closing minutes to secure victory.

Ronaldo's glancing header in the 74th minute turned out to be the winning goal. It was his 41st league goal of the season. Watch it at left.

Click here for match highlights and here for Ronaldo's highlights.

Messi Double

Barcelona also came from behind to win their league match this weekend. Messi's brace gave Barca a 2-1 win over Levante after Barkero's 23rd-minute penalty.

Messi equalized in the 64th minute and scored the winner from the spot eight minutes later.

The Argentine now has 41 league goals this season.

View Messi's individual highlights at left.

Up Next

It's a vital week for both teams.

Real Madrid visit Bayern Munich on Tuesday for the first leg of their Champions League semifinal. The second leg follows next Wednesday.

Barcelona visit Chelsea on Wednesday for the first leg of their Champions League semifinal. The second leg follows next Tuesday.

On Saturday, Barca host Real Madrid in a potential title-decider at Camp Nou.

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