Argentinean prodigy Lionel Messi scored in the dying minutes to complete his hat-trick and help 10-man Barcelona claim a 3-3 home draw with Real Madrid in a thrilling El Classico clash. Ruud van Nistelrooy bagged a brace but was cancelled out twice by Messi before Sergio Ramos looked to have secured a precious victory for Real. Messi came to the Catalans rescue in stoppage time following an impressive individual effort. Barcelona are in charge of the Primera Liga table with 50 points, ahead of second-placed Sevilla on goal difference before the latter face Gimnastic later on Sunday. Real left fourth on 45 points, one short of third-placed Valencia. Van Nistelrooy stunned the home crowd after five minutes when he controlled Lilian Thuram's poor clearance on the edge of the area before curling a low drive past Barca keeper Victor Valdes. Messi grabbed the equalizer six minutes later after he ghosted behind Miguel Torres to latch on to Samuel Eto'o's deft pass and send an ice-cool finish into the bottom corner of the net. The equality lasted for moments as Real were awarded a penalty when Oleguer tripped Guti inside the area.
Dutch international Van Nistelrooy stepped-up and sent Valdes the wrong way to restore the lead for the visitors. Eto'o continued squandering easy chances in front of goal as he was denied by superb goalie Ilker Casillas in the 18th minute. Messi leveled the score again in the 28th minute when he smashed a rebound into the roof of the net after Ronaldinho's initial shot was blocked by the Spanish international keeper. The Argentine international could have put his side ahead four minutes later when he was released clear on goal but his shot hit the side netting. Barcelona's hopes suffered a blow when Oleguer was sent-off before the break after receiving a second booking for a reckless challenge on Real midfielder Fernando Gago. Real took advantage of their numerical advantage in the second-half, launching series of attacking waves only to be denied by in-form Valdes and rejuvenated defender Thuram. But Los Meringues finally broke Barca's resistance in the 72nd minute after Ramos met Guti's free-kick with a backward header into the back of the net. Sensational youngster Messi notched home the equalizer moments before the end when he danced his way through Real's defense, side-stepped Ivan Helguera and blasted past Casillas.
