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MADRID - Lionel Messi scored a hat trick to give Barcelona a 4-3 win at 10-man Real Madrid in an electrifying and contentious "clasico" match that kept the three-way Spanish league title race wide open. Adidas Zx 700 Rea . The result means Atletico Madrid now tops the table, with Madrid level on points in second and Barcelona a point behind in third with nine games remaining as the title race shapes up to be the closest in years. In a game that saw three penalties, a red card and a host of missed chances, Andres Iniesta set the tone by rocketing home an early opener, only for Karim Benzemas brace to put the hosts ahead by the 24th. The teams went into the break level at 2-2 after Messi slotted in an equalizer, only for Cristiano Ronaldo to re-establish Madrids lead with a 55th-minute penalty. But Messi scored a pair of penalties after that — including the 65th-minute equalizer after Sergio Ramos was sent off — to end Madrids 31-game unbeaten run stretching back to the last "clasico" in October. Atleticos 2-0 victory at last-place Real Betis earlier on Sunday means it leads Madrid on head-to-head with the city rivals level on 70 points. Barcelona is on 69 points. The high pace of play and buzzing atmosphere inside the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium left little doubt this was a "clasico" with much at stake. Messi spotted Iniestas run down the left side seven minutes in and slid a perfect ball clear into the area for him to lift into the top of goal to kickstart the memorable match. Madrid winger Angel Di Maria troubled right back Dani Alves throughout, especially when he twice set up Benzema with crosses from the left side, with the France striker nodding home the first in the 20th before controlling the second to smash a right-footed volley beyond Victor Valdes. The goalkeeper got a glove to Benzemas opener but couldnt keep it out. The strengths and philosophies of each club were apparent as Barcelona looked to set the tempo through possession while Madrid always looked dangerous when breaking on the counter. Madrids defence nodded off when Neymar and Messis hopeful combination came to fruition and the Argentina star could equalize before halftime, with Benzema left ruing a number of missed chances that could have given Madrid control. Gareth Bales speed provided problems for Barcelona down the right, but Ronaldo was equally troublesome along the left and he was tripped by Dani Alves after the break to set up the penalty for his league-leading 26th goal that put Madrid back on top. However, eplays showed the contact had taken place just outside the penalty area. But Barcelona replied when Ramos was shown a straight red for tangling with Neymar and Messi stepped to equalize again. Benzema then came off as Madrid looked to defend the draw, with Barcelona patiently coming forward and Dani Alves sending a shot off the post in the 74th. Iniesta was then taken down by Xabi Alonso and Dani Carvajal in the area to set up the 84th-minute spot kick that Messi slotted home for his 21st goal of the season. Messi climbed to No. 2 on the Spanish leagues all-time scoring list with 235 goals, passing Hugo Sanchez. He also became the leading scorer in "clasico" matches with 21 goals, bettering the mark of 18 he shared with Madrid great Alfredo di Stefano. ___ Follow Paul Logothetis on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PaulLogoAP Nike Air Max 90 Dam .m. Columbus, OH (Sports Network) - Seattle Sounders FC hopes to rebound from a mid-week loss at D.C. United when it travels to Columbus for a Major League Soccer clash with the Crew on Saturday. Adidas Zx Flux Dam .ca! Hi Kerry, I love the column, keep up the good work! It doesnt make me more sympathetic to bad calls by the refs, but it sure explains a lot! On Tuesday, Zach Bogosian and Lars Eller just went off to the Sin Bin together - Bogosian for interference and Eller for embellishment. SAN FRANCISCO -- Heath Bell walked into the visitors clubhouse at AT&T Park on Wednesday, and many of his young San Diego Padres teammates figured he was already long gone after the San Francisco Giants claimed him off waivers. Leave it to the burly all-star closer to play the part of prankster and have a little fun with some of the younger players who didnt quite understand the waiver-wire process. "The big joke in the clubhouse is, Youre still here?" Bell said, chuckling. "I said I couldnt find the Giants clubhouse." While his name circulated on flat-screen televisions in both clubhouses, Bell and seemingly everybody else in the ballpark remained skeptical about whether he will actually end up with the defending World Series champions. San Diego has 48 hours from the time Bell was claimed to decide whether to work out a trade for the three-time all-star, allow him to be claimed or pull him back from waivers. The Giants already have one of baseballs best bullpens -- albeit banged up at the moment -- and it would seem unlikely that general manager Brian Sabean would give up anything of value in a trade. The move could be just to block NL West-leading Arizona -- under first-year general manager and former Padres GM Kevin Towers -- or other contenders from landing Bell. San Francisco began the day two games back of the Diamondbacks. Asked if Bell would still be with the club after the deadline, Padres manager Bud Black said he would be "extremely shocked" if his closer wasnt. "Albert Pujols was put on waivers. Justin Verlander was put on waivers. Im sure they got claimed, too, right?" Black said. "I dont know, but every general manager Ive known tells me that every player has put been put on waivers." Bell, too, was already was making plans for the teams series at Arizona beginning Friday. "I feel like Im going to Arizona with the Padres and going to do fantasy football on our off day and hang out by the pool and go see a couple movies and go sweat my butt off when I go run in Arizona for Fridays game," he said. The home team is certainly familiar with the right-hander. Bell converted his 35th save in 39 opportunities in Tuuesdays 7-5 win at San Francisco. Nike Free 3.0 v3 Dam. He also was chosen by Giants manager Bruce Bochy for the all-star game, famously sliding onto the infield grass before the NL manager handed him the ball in relief. The 33-year-old Bell learned that the Giants won the claim on him when a radio station called him for an interview. After a summer filled with trade talk, Bell was hardly surprised. "I feel pretty honoured. Theyre the world champs, they want me to be part of their organization," he said. "But nothing has happened right now. Im a Padre, and Im pretty happy about that." San Franciscos stellar bullpen is certainly fractured. There is no timetable for when Brian Wilson will get on a mound and test his inflamed right elbow, although theres a chance he could return in early September for the stretch run. Wilson has declined to discuss his injury. He led the majors with 48 saves last season, while Bell had 47. The Giants are more confident that setup man Sergio Romo, also on the disabled list with an elbow injury, will be back soon. Bochy said he hadnt talked to Sabean yet and wouldnt speculate about the teams plans. "That happens around baseball, so it just happened to make news," Bochy said. "Thats what it is right now. When that happens, a club claims somebody, some times those two clubs talk and make a deal. Im not talking about this as much as what happens with other deals." Bell has been clear all season that he enjoys playing for San Diego and doesnt want to go anywhere. While he will likely decline arbitration to become a free agent after the season, the Padres wouldnt lose Bell for nothing. They would likely get compensatory draft picks if he walks. Bell also has kept open the possibility he would re-sign with San Diego, even if he landed in San Francisco -- or somewhere else -- by the end of the week. In the meantime, he couldnt help but poke fun at how odd it would be to switch clubhouses in the middle of a quick two-game series. "It would be easy. It wouldnt be that far," he said, smiling. "I know where the locker room is. It would be a little weird just because weve had so many battles over the years."cheap nfl jerseys cheap jerseys ' ' '