Messi grabs hat-trick as Barcelona smash five

Dundee United 1-5 Barcelona Lionel Messi claimed a hat-trick and stole the show as Dundee United became the second Scottish side this week to be handed a footballing lesson by Barcelona. Craig Levein's men took the lead through Prince Buaben before Thierry Henry restored parity for the Catalan giants. Messi then transformed the game when he was introduced as a second-half substitute and netted three goals, with out-of-favour Samuel Eto'o also adding his name to the scoresheet. While Barcelona were ahead with just five minutes on the clock as they racked up a 6-0 win against Hibernian at Murrayfield, it was United who carved out a couple of decent chances early on at Tannadice. Warren Feeney - who joined on loan from Cardiff in June - was involved in most of their best moves and could have snatched the opener with just six... [read full story]