LIONEL MESSI scored a stunning hat trick as Barcelona beat Real Betis 4-1 Sunday to move 10 points clear at the top of La Liga.

To round off the memorable night, Messi added another milestone to his list by surpassing Xavi Hernandez with a club record 477th win.

Messi struck with a powerful free kick in the 17th minute. He added a second goal just before halftime from a pass by Luis Suarez, who scored a fine goal of his own midway through the second half.

But Messi saved his best for late after substitute Loren Moron had pulled one back for the hosts. In the 85th, Barcelona’s all-time leading scorer used one touch of his left boot to float the ball from the left side of the box over goalkeeper Pau Lopez. His shot grazed the underside of the bar before going in, triggering the outburst of praise from Betis fans.

Barcelona’s last league loss was 4-3 at home to Betis in November. It is now undefeated in 16 rounds and is on course to successfully defend its league title after taking full advantage of second-placed Atletico Madrid’s 2-0 defeat at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.

Ernesto Valverde’s team has also reached the final of the Copa del Rey — a competition it has won four years in a row — and will face Manchester United in the quarterfinals of the Champions League next month.

There are 10 rounds remaining, but with Messi and his teammates playing at this level and with such a large cushion of points, only a complete collapse could deny Barcelona a 26th league title and its eighth in 11 years.

“It depends on us and staying aware that nothing is decided yet,” Messi said. “Worse things have happened. There are still lots of points in play and we have to keep playing like this.”

Messi’s first goal was the product of a foul by Andres Guardado on Arthur that gifted the Argentina forward a free kick perfect for his preferred left foot — just slightly outside the semi-circle atop the area.

Messi sent his strike around the wall and into the top corner of the net, leaving Lopez little chance.

Suarez cued Messi’s second when he cleverly drew in defenders before using his heel to flick a no-look pass behind him to meet Messi’s run into the area. Messi did the rest by stabbing a low shot beyond Lopez. Suarez made up for two earlier misses by scoring from a superb solo effort in the 63rd when the striker dribbled through a trio of backpedaling defenders before a clinical finish for his 18th league goal of the campaign.  (SD-Agencies)