Barcelona vs Levante 5-1 Goal Highlights 24-02-2008

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Goals: Xavi 14'; Messi 44'; Eto'o 56', 62', 87' - Riga 41' pen

Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o scored a second half hat-trick which helped put his club back in the title race.

Spanish international playmaker Xavi Hernandez got Barca off to a good start with his third goal in four games after 14 minutes.

Two Levante defenders tried to cut out an Eto'o pass but, in the melee, the ball found its way to Xavi who made no mistake from just inside the penalty area.

Levante briefly silenced the Nou Camp crowd when they equalised from a Mustapha Riga penalty after 40 minutes, when Gianluca Zambrotta clumsily handled the ball.

Lionel Messi restored Barca's lead three minutes later when Xavi put the ball through to the mesmerising Argentine winger who placed his low shot past Levante goalkeeper Vladan Kujovic.

Eto'o then moved into overdrive after the break with goals after 55 and 61 minutes, both coming from Messi passes.

He completed his first league hat-trick at the club by mis-hitting an unselfish pass by Bojan Krkic into the net two minutes before the whistle.

"After going one up I thought we were just moving slowly. But I was pleased with the way we responded after they got a goal," said Barca coach Frank Rijkaard.

"There are going to be moments which we can all enjoy and today was one of those. Samuel scored three important goals and we played well."

Barcelona: Valdés; Zambrotta, Milito (Thuram 68'), Puyol, Sylvinho; Touré, Xavi, Iniesta; Messi (Giovani 81'), Eto'o, Ronaldinho (Bojan 73').

Levante: Kujovic; Descarga, Álvaro, José Serrano, David, Miguel Ángel (Pedro León 68'), Berson (Javi Fuego 23'), Juanma, Courtois, Riga, Geijo (Sául 81').