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LIONEL MESSI scored his first hat-trick of the season and made history as he fired Barcelona to a resounding 5-1 Primera Division win at home to Sevilla.The Argentinian opened the scoring with a sensational free-kick to draw level with former Athletic Bilbao forward Telmo Zarra as the Primera Division’s all-time top scorer but his strike was cancelled out by Jordi Alba’s own goal at the start of the second half.

Neymar headed Barca back in front moments later, then Ivan Rakitic extended Barca’s lead before Messi broke the scoring record after an awesome combination with Neymar, and then the Argentinian struck again to complete his treble and score his 253rd league strike.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Real Madrid strolled to a 4-0 win over Eibar.

James Rodriguez gave Real a lead which was added to just before half-time by Ronaldo.

Karim Benzema made it 3-0 with 20 minutes left and Ronaldo’s penalty rounded off a comfortable success and took him to 25 goals for the season, 20 in La Liga.

David Moyes began his spell in charge of Real Sociedad with a hard-fought, albeit dull, goalless draw with Deportivo la Coruna at Riazor.

After a seven-month break, Moyes returned to football last week when he accepted Sociedad’s offer to replace Jagoba Arrasate, who was sacked after leaving the club 15th in the Primera Division.

The move to Donostia is something of a leap of faith for Moyes, whose reputation took a battering in England after he lasted just 10 months at Manchester United.

Sociedad were well worthy of a point against a Deportivo side devoid of creativity and attacking threat.

Diego Simeone implored Atletico Madrid to treat the visit of Malaga as a cup final and his players responded with the kind of clinical performance that has brought multiple trophies to the club in recent seasons.

The Primera Division champions earned a 3-1 victory over a team that were charging up the table before the international break, courtesy of goals from Tiago, Antoine Griezmann and Diego Godin.

Roque Santa Cruz had clipped Atletico’s lead to 2-1 midway through the second half, but the dismissal of Samu soon afterwards left them hampered. Once the two-goal margin was restored by Godin’s header, Atletico were able to absorb the late sending-off of Gabi. — RTE