Ligue 1: Lucas Barrios hit a hat-trick as Montpellier came from behind to get the better of a five-goal thriller against Metz

The Paraguay striker set the visitors on their way with a 17th-minute penalty before adding two more in the second period as Montpellier won 3-2 to move up to sixth on the strength of their second successive win.

Barrios dispatched his opener from the spot after Anthony Mounier was fouled by Guirane N'Daw in the box but struggling Metz - without a win in their previous eight Ligue 1 games - soon hit back.

Their equaliser came four minutes later also from the spot with Yeni Ngbakoto converting after Montpellier's Joris Marveaux was ruled to have fouled in the box.

And the hosts were in front seven minutes before half-time when a Ngbakoto corner was knocked on by Bouna Sarr to Gaetan Bussmann, who directed a strong header past visiting keeper Geoffrey Jourdren.

But it took only seven minutes of the second half before Montpellier were level and again it was Barrios on the scoresheet after he picked up an excellent through-ball from Bryan Dabo and volleyed a low right-foot shot past Johann Carrasso.

Metz continued to search for a rare win, and Bussmann's good work in the 63rd minute set up a good chance for Juan Falcon, whose header was superbly blocked on the ground by Jourdren.

And home hopes sustained a major blow in the 70th minute when Barrios completed his hat-trick, following up from close-range after Morgan Sanson's 25-yard effort had ricocheted back into his path off the post.

Montpellier came close to grabbing a fourth in the 85th minute when Mounier crossed for Dabo who was only denied by a brave dive at his feet by Carrasso.