Lionel Messi makes history in comfortable Barcelona win

Lionel Messi's hat-trick in Barcelona's 7-0 La Liga victory over Osasuna this evening saw him move clear as the Catalan club's all-time leading goalscorer.

© Getty Images

The Argentinian started the day with 368 goals and moved level with Paulino Alcantara on 369 by stroking home Alexis Sanchez's cross in the 18th minute.

Four minutes later it was two when Sanchez himself converted Jordi Alba's centre.

The home side went in 3-0 ahead at the break thanks to the pick of the goals from Andres Iniesta, who picked out the top corner with a shot from outside the area.

© Getty Images

Oriol Riera spurned Osasuna's best chance of an equaliser soon after half time before Messi made history.

He exchanged passes with Iniesta before rifling into the roof of the net to reach 370 club goals, moving clear of Alcantara at the top of Barca's all-time scoring chart.

Barca made it five in the 79th minute when Cristian Tello danced past three defenders before curling into the top corner just a minute after coming on as a substitute.

Messi then bagged his hat-trick to make it six before Pedro got in on the act in added time before Osasuna finally heard the final whistle.

A win sees Barca cut the gap to league leaders Real Madrid to four points ahead of next weekend's El Clasico. They are still third, a point behind Atletico Madrid.