( CNN ) -- Barcelona manager Gerardo Martino said prior to Sunday 's El Clasico that it was his team 's last chance in the Spanish title race . His side came through against Real Madrid -- and it was a familiar face who led the way . Lionel Messi netted a hat-trick to become the leading scorer in El Clasico history as part of a 4-3 Barcelona victory that featured just about everything in Madrid . The estimated worldwide television audience of 400 million for arguably football 's biggest club game could n't have been disappointed . `` ( Messi has ) put in many performances like the one he put in today , but the impact is greater in a Clasico , '' Martino was quoted as saying on Barcelona 's website . `` I really have run out of words for him . '' The first half alone produced four goals but it could have been six or seven . The referee was in the spotlight for awarding three penalties , two to Barcelona , and what would an El Clasico be without a red card ? It went to Real Madrid 's Sergio Ramos midway in the second half with the home team leading 3-2 and predictably changed the complexion of the affair . Out went Real Madrid 's 31-game unbeaten streak , a run that began following Barcelona 's win in this season 's first league meeting between the giants in October . But a part of Madrid wo n't be disappointed with the result , since Atletico Madrid assumed top spot in La Liga ahead of its city rival thanks to a better head-to-head record . Barcelona trails by a point . `` La Liga has started over , we 're back in the fight for the title , '' added Martino . The early moments of Sunday 's showdown suggested it would be an open contest and so it was n't much of a surprise that it took a mere seven minutes to produce a goal . Messi 's ball released Andres Iniesta , who shot into the top corner . Karim Benzema should have quickly leveled but his effort sailed over the bar and four-time world player of the year Messi was guilty of a rare bad miss himself , scuffing his shot when in alone . Angel di Maria outshone his fellow winger Gareth Bale , his first-half display scintillating . Messi 's fellow Argentine set up Benzema 's header in the 20th minute for 1-1 -- although keeper Victor Valdes ' reaction suggested he knew he made a mistake . With Barcelona reeling , Benzema 's close-range finish in the 24th minute handed Madrid the advantage and the French international was only denied a hat-trick when Gerard Pique cleared off the line . Messi tied proceedings in the 42nd minute to break Alfredo di Stefano 's El Clasico record , with Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas and Real Madrid defender Pepe shown yellow cards in the aftermath when they touched heads -- and then theatrically fell to the ground . Bale -- the world 's most expensive player who entered the game in his best form of the campaign -- ran at the Barcelona defense to set up Benzema , who was deprived by Valdes to begin the second half . Cue the controversy . Referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco awarded Real Madrid a penalty when Dani Alves clipped Ronaldo but contact appeared to be outside the box . Ronaldo , who like Bale was mostly quiet Sunday , took the spot kick and the reigning world player of the year converted in the 55th minute . Messi sent through Neymar and the Brazilian -- about to be substituted after struggling -- was ruled to have been fouled in the box by Ramos . Undiano Mallenco again pointed to the spot , Ramos as the last man received the 19th red card of his career and Messi leveled in the 65th to make yet more history . He became the second leading scorer in La Liga on 236 goals . With Real Madrid forced to sit back and defend , the breakneck pace predictably slowed . Alves hit the post but when Iniesta went down under a challenge from Xabi Alonso , Undiano Mallenco awarded the third penalty . Up stepped Messi in the 83rd minute . He showed no nerves , sending his kick into the roof of the net for a 26th career hat-trick and second in as many games . `` We had chances and we are not happy , but not to worry , the league is still open , '' Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti told reporters . Atletico earlier Sunday downed last-place Real Betis 2-0 . A dogged Betis frustrated Atletico for the opening 55 minutes but when Braian Rodriguez was sent off for a second yellow , the visitor pounced . Gabi -- with a long-range stunner -- and Diego Costa scored in the 58th and 64th minutes , respectively , to give Atletico the win and ultimately first place in Spain .
Lionel Messi 's hat-trick lifts Barcelona to a 4-3 win over 10-man Real Madrid . Messi becomes the leading scorer in El Clasico history , passing Alfredo di Stefano . Barcelona opened the scoring before Real Madrid took 2-1 and 3-2 leads . Atletico Madrid moves atop the La Liga standings after a 2-0 win over Betis .