LONDON: Lionel Messi scored another hat-trick as Barcelona took their winning streak to 11 games on Sunday, while Juventus and AS Roma were both held to draws in Serie A and Olympique Lyon failed to extend their lead in Ligue 1.

Messi’s hat-trick helped Barca sweep aside Levante 5-0 and keep his team one point behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid. It also took his season tally to 26 league goals, putting him just two behind Real rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

Messi set up Neymar for Barcelona’s first in the 17th minute at Camp Nou, then scored the second, third and fourth himself. Luis Suarez came away with the goal of the night, though, polishing off the win with an acrobatic scissor kick.

Atletico Madrid’s hopes of a second consecutive title were dealt a blow when the off-colour champions lost 2-0 at mid-table Celta Vigo on Sunday to slip six points behind Barca in third.

In Italy, Juventus stayed seven points clear of Roma after the leading pair were held to draws by relegation-threatened teams.

Arturo Vidal missed a late penalty as Juve (54 points) drew 2-2 at Cesena, who are second-bottom.

Milan Djuric gave the Sea Horses a shock lead, Alvaro Morata and Claudio Marchisio replied to put Juve ahead before halftime and Franco Brienza levelled midway through the second half.

Roma (47) were held scoreless by bottom side Parma for a humiliating fifth consecutive draw at home.

Lyon missed the chance to move four points clear of title rivals Paris St Germain and Olympique Marseille by drawing 1-1 away to Lorient in France.

The top three all drew this weekend, meaning Lyon stay two points ahead of Marseille and PSG with 51 points from 25 games.

Clinton Njie grabbed the equaliser for Lyon in the 78th minute of a closely-contested match after Ghana forward Jordan Ayew gave Lorient the lead early in the second half.

Published in Dawn February 17th , 2015

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