Lionel Messi produced a footballing masterclass to put Barcelona within touching distance of the Copa del Rey quarterfinals with a 3-1 victory over 10-man Atletico Madrid.
Messi scored all three of Barca's goals in the first leg of their last-16 clash at the Vicente Calderon to keep the Catalan giants on course to win the cup for the first time since 1998.
Atletico did manage to pull a goal back through substitute Tomas Ujfalusi, but the 56th-minute dismissal of John Heitinga, who was sent off for bringing down Messi inside the area in the lead-up to Barca's second goal, meant the Rojiblancos were always up against it.
Atletico conceded three goals in the opening eight minutes en route to a 6-1 league thrashing at Barca earlier this season, and although they managed to avoid the same fate tonight, Javier Aguirre's men still found themselves trailing after just 11 minutes.
The goal was the result of a brilliant link-up between Messi and Dani Alves, two of only a handful of first-team regulars in Pep Guardiola's much-changed Barca side.
Messi fed the ball into Alves on the edge of the area and then raced on to the Brazilian's clever return pass before firing a low shot past Gregory Coupet.
That proved to be the only goal of the first half, although Atletico almost drew level in the 27th minute when Maniche's low shot was turned behind by Jose Pinto.
Barca were full value for their half-time lead, though, and the visitors soon doubled their advantage thanks to Messi's 56th-minute penalty.
Alves and Messi looked set to be combine once again, but Heitinga dragged down the Argentinian just as he was poised to get on the end of his team-mate's cross, earning Barca a penalty and the Dutchman a red card.
Messi made sure the full punishment was exacted, sending Coupet the wrong way from the spot.
Atletico, who were second-best for much of the night, pulled a goal back in the 68th minute when Ujfalusi headed home Simao's corner, but the night belonged to Messi and he completed his hat-trick in the 79th minute.
The Barca ace had just moments before been unlucky to see his shot crash back off the crossbar following a mazy run, but he was not to be denied later in the same attack.
Messi, who earned a standing ovation from many of the home supporters for his run and shot that hit the bar, was replaced soon afterward, but the damage had already been done and Atletico face an uphill battle to stay in the cup.
