Lionel Messi Breaks Scoring Record as Barcelona Thrashes Real MadridLionel Messi Breaks Scoring Record as Barcelona Thrashes Real Madrid In a pulsating El Clasico clash, Barcelona maestro Lionel Messi etched his name into the history books with a record-breaking performance against arch-rivals Real Madrid. On a rain-soaked night at the Camp Nou, Messi struck a stunning hat-trick to break the all-time scoring record in the Clasico. His first goal came in the 17th minute, a clinical finish after a brilliant through pass from Sergio Busquets. Real Madrid fought back with a goal from Karim Benzema, but Messi restored Barcelona’s lead with a penalty in the 33rd minute. The Argentine forward completed his hat-trick in the 87th minute, coolly slotting home after a delightful assist from Ousmane Dembele. Messi’s hat-trick saw him surpass former Real Madrid legend Alfredo di Stefano’s record of 18 goals in the Clasico. It was also his 644th goal for Barcelona, making him the club’s all-time leading scorer. Barcelona dominated the match from start to finish, with Real Madrid struggling to keep pace. The Catalans enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and created numerous chances throughout the 90 minutes. In addition to Messi’s goals, Philippe Coutinho and Ivan Rakitic also found the net for Barcelona. Gareth Bale scored a consolation goal for Real Madrid in the dying minutes. The emphatic 5-1 victory extended Barcelona’s lead at the top of La Liga to seven points. It was a resounding statement of intent from the Catalan giants, who showcased their superior quality against their bitter rivals. For Messi, it was a night to remember. He not only broke a long-standing record but also led his team to a crushing victory. His performance reinforced his status as one of the greatest players of all time.