Barcelona vs. Rayo Vallecano: Score, Grades, Reaction from Liga Game

Barcelona 6-1 Rayo Vallecano

Lionel Messi struck a record-breaking hat-trick to propel Barcelona to the Liga summit with a 6-1 rout of Rayo Vallecano at the Camp Nou on Sunday.

The Argentina international's treble earned him the title of most hat-tricks in La Liga history with a stunning 24.

After Luis Suarez had given the home side a single-goal advantage at half-time with his fifth-minute strike, Gerard Pique added a second four minutes after the interval.

Messi had a quiet first half but came alive in the second 45 minutes. When he missed a 55th-minute penalty after Tito was dismissed for hauling down Suarez, the Argentine did not need asking twice to step up for the retake to make it 3-0.

Two goals in five minutes completed his treble. Messi scored his 40th goal of the season in the 63rd minute before displaying wonderful skills to round Rayo goalkeeper Cristian Alvarez for his third goal.

However, there was a dark cloud on Barcelona's day when Dani Alves was given a red card for bringing down Bueno in the area to deny a goalscoring opportunity. Bueno subsequently hit a consolation from the spot, but the dismissal leaves a question mark over Alves' involvement in El Clasico.

Messi became a provider in injury time when he set up Suarez for his second goal of the day in an irresistible Barcelona performance. 

The comfortable win lifts Barcelona one point clear of Real Madrid at the top of the table, with a meeting between the two Spanish giants on the horizon in two weeks' time.

Pedro came in for the suspended Neymar, while Javier Mascherano took the place of the injured Sergio Busquets in midfield.

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Pique: "The Liga is still very long. We have to keep on going now." #fcblive

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) March 8, 2015"

Rayo were clearly under the impression they had little to lose at the Camp Nou with head coach Paco Jemez selecting an attacking formation for his team. And within the first minute, a deep cross had Claudio Bravo under pressure, but the goalkeeper was able to clear.

At the other end, Rayo goalkeeper Alvarez raced from his area to clear with a diving header.

Barcelona took the lead in the fifth minute, though, with a fabulous through ball from Xavi cutting open the Rayo back line and Suarez chasing in before beating Alvarez at the near post with the outside of his right boot.

Suarez could have added a second four minutes later when Alvarez chased out of his area but was rounded by the Uruguay striker. However, the Barcelona goalscorer took the ball too far wide, and his subsequent cross to Pedro was weak, allowing Rayo to clear.

The former Liverpool man was calling for a penalty moments later when he appeared to be brought down in the area by Abdoulaye Ba, but the referee waved play on.

Another sublime first-time Xavi ball freed Pedro, but under pressure from Tito, the forward could not get the ball from under his feet to trouble Alvarez.

On the half-hour mark, Mascherano was cautioned for a foul on the edge of the area, and Roberto Trashorras went close with the free-kick.

Messi had had a relatively quiet game in the opening period, but a beautifully weighted ball over the Rayo defence by Suarez gave the Argentine a chance, and his subsequent lob dropped just wide.

As the half-time whistle blew, Barcelona fans were left questioning how the scoreline remained just 1-0, but Suarez's goal was the home side's only shot on target in the opening 45 minutes.

Along with the scoreline, that statistic changed in the 49th minute. Dani Alves was unfortunate to see his header strike the woodwork, but the ball dropped to Pique, and the defender converted to make it 2-0.

Andres Iniesta forced a good save from Alvarez in the 54th minute after being played in by Xavi's ball into the left-hand channel.

Seconds later, Rayo were reduced to 10 men when Tito earned a second yellow card for hauling down Suarez in the area. Messi missed the spot-kick but was given a second chance when the referee ordered the penalty to be retaken, and the Argentina international made it 3-0.

Jordi Alba was shown a yellow card shortly after to leave him suspended for the next match against Eibar but available for El Clasico in two weeks' time.

Mascherano was then withdrawn from the game by Luis Enrique with Ivan Rakitic replacing him.

In the 63rd minute, Messi doubled his tally for the day and scored his 40th goal in all competitions this season when he prodded home a Suarez assist from close range.

Five minutes later, Messi completed his hat-trick when his quick feet took him around Alvarez before firing home from a tight angle. 

Rayo were granted a consolation in the 80th minute when Alves controversially saw red for denying Bueno, but the Barca defender appeared to have got the ball in the tackle. The Rayo forward picked himself up to slot home from the spot.

Suarez broke clear in the 87th minute and attempted to set up Messi, but the Argentine could not control the pass and struck into the side netting. Messi turned provider in injury time when he set up Suarez to take the ball around Alvarez and fire into the net.

The victory also sounded an ominous warning to Champions League opponents Manchester City ahead of the last-16 second leg next week.

Selected Player Ratings

Luis Suarez: A

The Barcelona striker is truly hitting his stride at the Camp Nou now. Handily, that form is coming just two weeks before El Clasico.

Xavi: A+

Xavi rolled back the years to provide a superb display in midfield for Barcelona. His defence-splitting passes were a thing of beauty for the home supporters.

Andres Iniesta: A+

Iniesta clearly enjoyed playing alongside Xavi once more. He displayed some mesmerising work on the ball and proved he still has what it takes at the highest level.

Lionel Messi: A

The superlatives have long since run dry for the Argentina international. After a relatively quiet first period, Messi exploded into life in the second half with another hat-trick added to his CV.

Post-Match Reaction

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Luis Enbrique: "Suarez links up very well with Messi, he adds a lot and he keeps on getting better." #fcblive

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) March 8, 2015"