Lionel Messi scored a hat trick as Barcelona came from behind on two separate occasions to record a 4-2 win over Sevilla in Saturday afternoon's pulsating La Liga contest at the Estadio Ramon.

Messi netted in the 26th and 67th minutes to level the scores, before coming up with the game's fifth goal five minutes from time to cap what was another extraordinary performance from the Argentina international.

The Spanish champions were not finished, though, and made it four in the final seconds when Luis Suarez expertly looped the ball over the onrushing Tomas Vaclik.

The result has seen Barcelona move 10 points clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid at the top of the table, while Sevilla remain in fifth spot.

The big team news for Barcelona saw Samuel Umtiti make the XI after recovering from a long-term knee injury, while Philippe Coutinho and Arturo Vidal also came into the side following the Champions League clash with Lyon.

As for Sevilla, January arrival Maximilian Wober was handed a spot in the side, while on-loan Napoli midfielder Marko Rog also featured in a team which included Pablo Sarabia and Wissam Ben Yedder.

After a fairly uneventful start, Sevilla had the first real chance of the match in the 18th minute. It arrived after smart footwork from Ben Yedder inside the Barcelona box, but the centre-forward saw his goal-bound effort deflected just wide of the post by Gerard Pique.

Sevilla were the better team, though, and deservedly took the lead in the 22nd minute when a quick counter-attack ended with Ben Yedder feeding Jesus Navas, who expertly picked out the bottom corner of the net.

Barcelona were only behind for four minutes, however, with Messi scoring a stunning leveller. Indeed, a cross from Ivan Rakitic landed onto the left boot of Messi, with the Argentine's volley flying into the top corner of the net.

The end-to-end nature of the match meant that both teams were having their moments on the break, but Pique could not release a strike just past for the 30-minute mark after finding himself in a very dangerous position.

Quincy Promes then fired over the Barcelona crossbar from a dangerous position in the 37th minute as both teams looked to score the game's third goal before the half-time interval.

As it transpired, it was the home side that regained the lead late in the first period. Gabriel Mercado had stayed forward following a set piece and the Argentine managed to turn a low Sarabia cross into the bottom corner following more suspect defending from the Spanish champions.

Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde made a double change at the interval as Ousmane Dembele and Sergi Roberto entered the field in place of Nelson Semedo and Vidal, who struggled in the first half.

The visitors had a golden chance to level the scores in the 53rd minute when Luis Suarez delivered an excellent cross into Dembele, but the Frenchman was unable to get proper contact on his effort.

Luis Suarez had a strong shout for a penalty just past the hour after going down under a challenge from Simon Kjaer, but there was no intervention from VAR after the referee had pointed for a goal kick.

Barcelona's Uruguay international then fired into the arms of Vaclik minutes later as Sevilla continued to come under pressure from the Spanish champions.

Eventually the visitors levelled in the 67th minute when Messi settled on the ball inside the Sevilla box before picking out the top corner with yet another stunning effort.

Messi then curled one just over the crossbar 20 minutes from time before bringing a wonderful save from Vaclik five minutes later as the one-man show continued.

Coutinho had another very difficult afternoon for the Catalan giants and his match ended in the 78th minute, with Carles Alena sent on in Barcelona's third change.

The pressure continued from the away side into the latter stages and Sevilla's hearts were broken in the 85th minute when Messi - having collected a blocked shot from Alena - expertly clipped the ball over the onrushing Vaclik to effectively decide the contest.

Valverde's team were not quite finished, though, and Messi turned provider in the third minute of added time to allow Luis Suarez to loop a fine finish over the Sevilla goalkeeper.

Next up for Barcelona is a trip to Real Madrid for the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final on Wednesday night, while Sevilla will attempt to return to winning ways when they travel to Huesca in the league next weekend.

SEVILLA (3-5-2): Vaclik; Gomez, Kjaer, Mercado (Vazquez 52'); Wober (Amadou 58'), Sarabia, Rog (Mesa 62'), Banega, Navas; Promes, Ben Yedder

BARCELONA (4-3-3): Ter Stegen; Semedo (Roberto 46'), Pique, Umtiti, Alba; Vidal (Dembele 46'), Busquets, Rakitic; Messi, L Suarez, Coutinho (Alena 79')