Lionel Messi hat-trick v PSV Eindhoven for Barcelona is record eighth in Champions League
Beautiful free kick against PSV Eindhoven at Camp Nou among Argentine’s three goals, with Ousmane Dembele also scoring in Champions League rout
Barcelona fans can stop worrying. Lionel Messi is just fine – and he scored a record eighth Champions League hat-trick to prove it.
Three days after a rare poor performance in the Spanish league, Messi returned to normal service on Tuesday with three goals in a 4-0 win over PSV Eindhoven in their Champions League opener.
That took the Argentine past long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who has seven Champions League hat tricks.
Ousmane Dembele also scored for Barcelona, who were already 3-0 up when they was reduced to 10 men as defender Samuel Umtiti was sent off for a second yellow card after a hard challenge in the 79th.
The group B result extended Barcelona’s unbeaten run at home to 27 matches in the Champions League. The Catalan club have won 25 games and drawn only two during that streak.
Messi had struggled in the team’s La Liga win at Real Sociedad on Saturday, a worrying sign just ahead of the important Champions League opener.