UEFA Champions League
Group F
Full Time: Apoel 0-4 Barcelona
Date: 25 November 2014
Venue: Neo GSP stadium
A hat-trick from Lionel Messi saw him break the all-time goal scoring record in the UEFA Champions League and at the same time lead Barcelona to a 4-0 victory over Apoel in a Group F match at the Neo GSP stadium on Tuesday night.
Check: The Champions League Standings
The win sees Barcelona up to 12 points in Group F from their five games and assured of qualification for the knockout stages of the competition.
They are behind Paris Saint Germain, who are on 13 points after beating Ajax Amsterdam 3-1.
Ajax are third in the group with two points while Apoel are bottom with one point.
Messi's hat-trick also takes his all-time Champiosn League goal scoring record to 74 which surpasses the previous record of Raul with 71 goals.
It was also a memorable night for Luis Suarez who opened the scoring for Barcelona in the 27th minute with his first goal for the club after brilliantly turning his marker and firing past the keeper from just inside the box, 1-0.
In the 38th minute Messi doubled Barcelona's lead after diverting home an initial shot from Rafinha, 2-0.
Messi scored his second goal in the 58th minute when a clinical finish after dinking the ball over an onrushing goalkeeper after being put through on goal by Dani Alves, 3-0.
The night was a little soured for Barcelona in the 70th minute when Rafinha was giving his marching orders after receiving his second yellow card.
Messi completed his hat-trick in the 87th minute after turning home a Pedro pass, 4-0.
Check: The Champions League Fixtures
