Messi hat-trick extends Barcelona's unbeaten run to record-tying 38 tilts

Barcelona equalled a 38-year-old La Liga record with a win over Leganes on Saturday, extending its league undefeated streak to 38 matches courtesy of a Lionel Messi-inspired 3-1 victory at Camp Nou.

The diminutive Argentine scored a hat-trick - his 40th for Barcelona and 29th in La Liga - to secure the win, which allows the Blaugrana to tie Real Sociedad for the longest-ever undefeated streak in La Liga.

Messi got the scoring started with a direct free-kick goal - his sixth in the current campaign, making him the first player to reach that mark since Ronaldinho in the 2006-07 season.

A consolation goal scored by Leganes' Nabil El Zhar did little to deter Ernesto Valverde's men, who looked assured of a result from the first whistle.

The Blaugrana can break the record with a win or a draw against Valencia on April 14, which would extend their undefeated streak to 39 league fixtures.