Deportivo La Coruna vs. Barcelona: Score, Grades, Reaction from Liga Game

Lionel Messi scored his 22nd La Liga hat-trick for Barcelona to maintain the pressure on leaders Real Madrid with a convincing win at Deportivo La Coruna.

The Argentina international opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a header from an Ivan Rakitic ball into the area and bundled home a second just after the half-hour mark.

Messi completed his treble in the 62nd minute after once more being assisted by Rakitic at a short corner.

Barcelona's win was completed seven minutes from time when an attempted clearance struck Deportivo defender Sidnei for an own goal.

Barcelona head coach Luis Enrique named an unchanged team, with Andres Iniesta playing the captain's role and Xavi still sidelined despite returning to training from injury.

Deportivo goalkeeper Fabricio was needed in the 10th minute to deny Messi's drive from the edge of the area, but seconds later, Barcelona were ahead.

Rakitic floated a cross into the area where Messi was waiting, and the Argentina international guided the ball beyond Fabricio with a header.

"

Messi (at 27) equals the amount of league goals (260) Alan Shearer (at 35) managed to score in the Premier League #fcblive [via @champ_ian]

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) January 18, 2015"

Barcelona were showing tremendous movement in the early stages of the game, clearly looking to end the contest early on.

Even Messi chased into a right-back berth to win the ball back for the Camp Nou side in the 17th minute as Deportivo finally found a way into the Catalans' half.

Luis Suarez looked certain to add a second for the visitors midway through the first period when he connected with Iniesta's clipped ball into the area, but the striker sent his effort wide.

Deportivo edged back into the game and threatened the visitors' dominance, but striker Ivan Cavaleiro was guilty of wasting an opportunity with a poor shot that flew wide.

Former Barcelona man Isaac Cuenca was also wasteful in front of goal with a scooped shot from close range, which flew over the crossbar.

And Deportivo paid for those misses as Barcelona went further ahead in the 33rd minute.

Lalo R. Villar/Associated Press

Messi set up the move with a ball across the edge of the penalty area, and Suarez controlled before playing a return pass to the South American, who gained possession and guided it over Fabricio.

Deportivo were claiming a penalty in the opening stages of the second period, but the referee adjudged Javier Mascherano's challenge on Haris Medunjanin to be legal.

And Claudio Bravo needed to be alert in the 58th minute when Juan Dominguez surprised him with an angled snap-shot, but the Barcelona goalkeeper stretched to push the ball away.

Any resistance from the home side was ended in the 62nd minute, however, as Messi wrapped up his hat-trick.

The Argentine took a short corner to Rakitic, who flicked the ball back into his path for a run at goal from the right side of the area, and Messi planted a strike past Fabricio to make it 3-0.

With the points effectively sealed, Luis Enrique opted to make changes, with Sergio Busquets and Iniesta replaced by Marc Bartra and Rafinha.

The Camp Nou head coach then brought off Neymar for Pedro, with thoughts perhaps turning to the midweek Copa Del Rey clash with Atletico Madrid.

Cuenca went looking for a consolation with a tremendous 81st-minute drive at goal, but his progress was halted in the final stages, as Barcelona closed him down.

With seven minutes left, Barcelona made it 4-0 when Alberto Lopo attempted to clear a low Dani Alves cross into the area but struck team-mate Sidnei instead, with the rebound bouncing past Fabricio.

Suarez was also keen to get on the scoresheet, but after wriggling away from three defenders, the former Liverpool forward aimed straight at Fabricio.

Selected Player Ratings

Lionel Messi: A+

Another superb display (is there any other type from Messi?) with two goals in the first period fashioned from a determined display before claiming a 30th treble for Barcelona in all competitions in the second half.

Luis Suarez: A-

Missed a glorious chance for Barcelona's second goal, but there are strong signs his combination with Neymar and Messi is beginning to bear fruit.

Ivan Rakitic: A

While Messi, Neymar and Suarez collect the headlines, Rakitic is still providing the vital assists and passes to fuel the forward line.

What's Ahead

Deportivo are back in action next Sunday when they play host to Granada in La Liga action.

Barcelona face a familiar opponent on Wednesday when they line up against Atletico Madrid in the Copa Del Rey quarter-final first leg at the Camp Nou.

Post-Match Reaction

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Luis Enrique: "Found fixed line-up now? I continue to think that it's better to rotate and to involve more players." #fcblive

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) January 18, 2015"

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Luis Enrique: "Messi has been playing at this brilliant level for the whole season now."

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) January 18, 2015"

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Rakitic: "I think we all worked hard today. We could score early, which made it easier. Atletico game was turning point of season? Could be"

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) January 18, 2015"

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Messi been brilliant and all, but Rakitic also been excellent tonight. Best all-round game for Barca perhaps.

— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) January 18, 2015"