A hat-trick from Lionel Messi, a brace from Luis Suárez and a goal from Gerard Pique gave the Blaugrana side three points as they went out to rout Rayo Vallecano 6-1 at the Camp Nou. This match turned out to be all Barcelona throughout 90 minutes as with this win, they go top of the table for the first time since losing that top spot in El Clasico to their rivals back in October. However with the consecutive Madrid draw and loss, it gave Barca the advantage to become leaders with a one point gap in between the two sides.
The match started out well for the hosts as it didn't take long to get things rolling once again. In the 5th minute, Suárez opened up the scoring with his sixth La Liga strike of the season as Xavi played the Uruguayan through with a precise pass, who was able to slot an effort beyond 'keeper Cristian Alvarez with the outside of his right boot. Appeals for a penalty just seven minutes later, as Abdoulaye Ba brought down the former Liverpool forward heavily in the box. The referee Jesus Gill though, saw nothing wrong with it and allowed play to continue. Messi had a goal-scoring opportunity to double the lead for the hosts twenty minutes later, as he ran past Alvarez with ease, but the ball trickled away from his path and bounced into the side netting as it would signal the last big chance for Luis Enrique's men in the first-half.
In the second-half, Barca were totally dominant. In the 49th minute, a corner from Xavi was able to find Jordi Alba, whose effort came back off the post where it was fell straight to centre-back Gerard Pique, who simply could not miss from close range to make it 2-0. Just five minutes later, Barcelona were awarded a penalty following a challenge from Tito on Suárez in the box, as the referee had no choice but to give the Rayo man his second yellow card, sending him off and leaving Rayo with ten men. Despite Messi's spot-kick being saved, it had to be retaken again and on the second chance, the Argentine made no mistake as he slammed this shot into the opposite corner for his 28th Liga strike this season and to make it 3-0.
In the 63rd minute, Messi completed his brace. Suárez was able to control a loose ball inside the box and fired a shot away with his second touch, which Alvarez managed to partially parry away - but into the path of the Argentine superstar who tapped in from close range. Five minutes later, Messi was able to complete his hat- trick after Pedro's low pass inside from the left was taken brilliantly by the forward, allowing to feint the ball past Alvarez giving him his 30th goal of the season to make it 5-0, drawing level with Cristiano Ronaldo for the Pichichi and to become the first player ever to score 24 hat-tricks in the league.
Rayo Vallecano were able to get a consolation goal however, as Dani Alves was sent off following a questionable challenge on Bueno in the box; allowing the vistors a penalty and the fouled midfielder made no mistake as he cut the deficit by 4 to make it 5-1. Barcelona were not done however, as Luis Suárez completed his own personal brace to complete the rout at a 6-1 scoreline. Messi was able to roll a pass towards the defence allowing the Uruguayan striker to round past Alvarez and slot the ball into the net.
Next up for Barcelona is a trip against Eibar before they will host two important matches: Manchester City in the Champions League's Round of 16 second leg and El Clasico, while Rayo Vallecano host Granada.