Lionel Messi scored a second half hat-trick for FC Barcelona as they ended their stay in Scotland with another emphatic win, this time against Dundee United at Tannadice on Saturday evening.

The Blaugrana against showed that they are in good form at this early stage of the campaign as Thierry Henry and Samuel Eto'o also scored to add to the Argentinian's three goals. After putting six past Hibernian in midweek, Pep Guardiola's team managed just one less in their second encounter thanks to a powerful performance after the interval. Messi came off the bench and had a huge effect on proceedings and showed once again just why he is seen as some important to Barcelona's plans.

Early chances

Barça created four chances in the opening 25 minutes with Henry testing the keeper with the clearest effort, but he was denied by Lukasz Zaluska. Until that moment, the host side had little to offer going forward, but with their first meaningful push they took the lead when Prince Buaben was picked out at he far post and he was able to meet the ball and angle a head home much to the delight of the Dundee United supporters.

Immediate reaction

It did not take long for the Blaugrana to muster a reply and they were level with two minutes after a mix-up in the Dundee United defence allowed Henry to take one shot that was parried and then pounce on the rebound to fire the ball into the far corner of the net. The Scottish outfit continued to look to move in behind the Barça defence, but it was Guardiola's team that had the better opportunities with Henry, Pedrito, Bojan Krkic and Eidur Gudjohnsen all going close.

Barça take control

At the start of the second period, Barcelona made seven changes and they had the desired effect as the visitors took command of the encounter before the hour mark was reached. Messi was one of those to make his entrance at the break and he took just minutes to put Barça ahead for the first time after a clever run. In the 60th minute Eto'o staked a claim for a place in the squad next term with the third after he capitalised on another defensive mistake in the Dundee United rearguard.

Messi hat-trick

The best was yet to come as Barça continued to change things around and Dundee United pushed up field, Eto'o and Messi c****ined well to open up the home team's back four and allow the Argentinian to slot home his second and Barça's fourth of the afternoon. Three minutes later and Messi completed his hat-trick after he was in the right place at the right time to react to a save from the keeper after Eto'o's shot had been parried.

Barcelona's emphatic victory was further proof of the confidence that is running through the squad and rounded off the trip to Scotland in style, making it eleven goals in Barça's and just one conceded.

The 1-5 end has left in evidence the sign that has had the party and has permitted to the Barça to finalize the phase in Scotland with an exciting balance: eleven goals to favour and one in against, in two parties



-- Edited by SLICE BREAD at 21:10, 2008-07-26