ESPNsoccernet: Europe

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi beat the all-time European record for goals in a single season on Wednesday night as his hat-trick helped them to a 4-1 win against Malaga.

Lionel Messi points to the heavens after slotting home from the penalty spot (GettyImages)

Messi hit two penalties to tie the record and then slotted home his 68th goal of the season to overcome the 67 of Bayern Munich legend Gerd Muller from the 1972-73 season.

The Argentina World Player of the Year has now netted 46 goals in La Liga to put him two ahead of Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo in the race for the Pichichi trophy.

Muller finished his career with 655 goals in 709 appearances and won the European Championship in 1972, followed by the 1974 World Cup.