Lionel Messi, Barcelona Crush Osasuna 7-1 to Keep Pace in La Liga Race

Lionel Messi, Andre Gomes and Paco Alcacer each scored braces as Barcelona enjoyed an emphatic 7-1 win over Osasuna at the Camp Nou on Wednesday to keep the pressure on Real Madrid in La Liga's title race.

Messi and Gomes gave the Catalan giants a first-half lead before Roberto Torres whipped in a delicious free-kick three minutes after the break. 

Barcelona were quickly back in front with four goals in 10 minutes, starting with a second from Gomes before Messi completed his brace with a neat finish from the edge of the area.

Paco Alcacer and a Javier Mascherano penalty put the match even further beyond the hapless visitors, and the former ensured he, too, scored a brace with a late second.

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Barcelona named a rotated team with the likes of Luis Suarez and Andres Iniesta on the bench, while those on the pitch lined up in a 3-4-3 formation.

Messi found the net just 12 minutes in, coolly lifting the ball over goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu after intercepting a misplaced pass and racing clear, per Sky Sports La Liga:

With Osasuna offering little, Barca barely got out of second gear in the first 45 minutes and went 2-0 up after half an hour when Gomes met Ivan Rakitic's cross with a controlled half-volley.

The visitors' first notable contribution to the contest came almost immediately after the restart, per Sky Sports La Liga:

Barcelona responded by upping the tempo, and relegation-stricken Osasuna had no answer as they quickly capitulated.

After Mascherano had a header tipped on to the post by Sirigu, Gomes scored again when he tucked home a rebound from Gerard Pique after he rattled the crossbar from a corner.

Three minutes later, Messi netted again as he charged forward unopposed and curled in from 20 yards before Alcacer slid in Barca's fifth goal when he latched on to Arda Turan's cool ball over the top.

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Mascherano was allowed an attempt from the spot when Fran Merida felled Denis Suarez, and the Argentinian lashed home his first goal in 319 outings for Barcelona.

Football journalists Rafael Hernandez and Rik Sharma reacted to the strike:

Not done there, Barca added another to their tally before the end when Alcacer showed great composure to escape Osasuna's defence and finish past Sirigu one-on-one.

The Catalan giants kept the pressure on Real Madrid ahead of their trip to Deportivo La Coruna with another three points, while Osasuna are on the verge of relegation and will be down if Leganes beat Las Palmas.

Post-Match Reaction

ESPN FC's Samuel Marsden relayed Barcelona manager Luis Enrique's reaction after the match:

Per Marsden, Ivan Rakitic added: "I wanted to take [the penalty], but Pique said to let Mascherano take it, and he was right—you have to listen to the president."