The Sunday News
Lionel Messi took just three minutes to score on his return from injury as Barcelona thrashed Deportivo la Coruna 4-0, but they were upstaged by Yannick Carrasco’s hat-trick in a 7-1 rout for leaders Atletico Madrid over Granada on Saturday.
Barca were already 3-0 up thanks to Luis Suarez and a double from Rafinha when Messi was introduced after nearly a month out with a groin problem just before the hour mark and wasted no time in scoring his ninth goal of the season.
However, Barca still trail Atletico by two points after Carrasco’s treble and Nicolas Gaitan’s first two goals for the club inspired a storming fightback by Diego Simeone’s men after falling behind early on.
Sevilla are second after their first away win in La Liga in 23 games, triumphing 3-2 at Leganes.
Real Madrid can move level with Atletico with victory at Real Betis later. — AFP
