Lionel Messi struck three times in Barcelona's win over Mallorca. Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
BARCELONA, Spain -- Lionel Messi scored a hat trick as Barcelona moved back top of La Liga with an emphatic 5-2 victory over Real Mallorca on Saturday.
Real Madrid had climbed three points clear after beating Espanyol earlier in the day, but Ernesto Valverde's side were at their vibrant best as they dispatched visitors Mallorca at the Camp Nou.
Antoine Griezmann dinked home the opening goal after being played through by Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, six-times Ballon d'Or winner Messi twice curled home from outside the area and Luis Suarez netted a brilliant backheel.
Ante Budimir scored with a deflected effort for Mallorca in the first half and doubled his tally by nodding home, but Messi smashed a shot in late on to complete his hat trick and round off an impressive win for the Catalan club.
Source: espn.co.uk