La Liga wrap: Messi on song as Barca thump Valencia

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi scored four goals in the Catalan club’s 5-1 win over Valencia, on a high-scoring Sunday in La Liga that yielded 28 goals.

In Barcelona, Pablo Piatti handed Valencia the lead in the ninth minute, volleying Sofiane Feghouli’s cross past Victor Valdes in Barcelona’s goal, but going behind simply sparked Barcelona into action, with Messi leading the way.

The Argentine scored his first in the 22nd minute, sliding the ball under Valencia goalkeeper Diego Alves from the tightest of angles, before handing the home side the lead five minutes later with a tap-in after Alves failed to hold his initial shot.

On 76 minutes, Messi had his hat-trick, lashing home the rebound after Cristian Tello’s shot was parried by Alves into the number 10’s path.

Messi grabbed his fourth with five minutes to go, delicately chipping the Valencia goalkeeper after bursting clear of the defence.

Xavi completed Barcelona’s dominant performance with a goal in the first minute of injury time, trimming Real Madrid’s lead on top of the La Liga table to 10 points and moving them 11 points ahead of Valencia who are third.

In Gijon, Atletico Madrid squandered an opportunity to go fourth, drawing with Sporting 1-1.

An own goal by Roberto Canella put the away side ahead, but Sebastien Eguren levelled the game before half-time, and neither side was unable to find a winning goal, although Atletico’s strike duo Radamel Falcao and Adrian Lopez could have easily had a couple of goals each.

That result allowed Athletic Bilbao to stay fourth after recording a superb 3-0 win over fellow Champions League chasers Malaga.

In a match with numerous chances at either end, Marcelo Bielsa’s side proved more clinical after the break with Fernando Amorebieta, Mikel San Jose and Toquero all scoring in a five-minute period to secure the points at home.

The win means Bilbao move level with Espanyol on 33 points, while Malaga, despite being in eighth position, are just two points further back.

Rayo Vallecano won 5-3 against hosts Levante in a thrilling game, which included six goals in the second half.

Rayo’s attacking pair of Lass and Diego da Silva Costa both scored twice for the visitors.

In other results, Granada took advantage of Asier Illarramendi’s red card just before half-time to cruise to a 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad and Mallorca thumped Villarreal 4-0.