BARCELONA (Reuters) - Barcelona forward Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick in a 3-1 win over Leganes on Saturday which took the Catalans 12 points clear at the top of La Liga and also meant they equalled a Spanish top-flight record of 38 games without defeat. Messi curled in from a free kick to break the deadlock in the 27th minute. The Catalans are top of La Liga with 79 points after 31 games and have a 12-point advantage over second-placed Atletico Madrid, who visit champions Real Madrid in a local derby on Sunday. Despite the huge margin his side have at the top, Valverde continued to resist talk about his side being champions-elect. Spain forward Aspas scored all his goals in the space of 21 minutes, taking his La Liga goal tally this season to 19.

Source: The Star April 07, 2018 21:22 UTC