La Liga wrap: Triple treat for Messi, Real go top

Lionel Messi struck a hat-trick as Barcelona smashed Mallorca 5-0, but it is Real Madrid who lead La Liga following Saturday’s matches.

With Levante not in action until Sunday, traditional heavyweights Real and Barca leapfrogged the upstarts.

Gonzalo Higuain’s eighth-minute goal proved the difference between Real Sociedad and the visitors from Madrid in a tight contest at the Anoeta Stadium.

The 1-0 win sees Jose Mourinho’s side end the day top of the table with 25 points, one ahead of second-placed Barca, who demolished Mallorca at Camp Nou.

Messi opened the scoring from the penalty spot 12 minutes into the match.

And the Argentine superstar was on target again in the 20th and 30th minutes, sealing his hat-trick and putting the result beyond doubt with an hour still to play.

Winger Isaac Cuenca bagged the fourth five minutes into the second half, opening his first-team account in just his second appearance for the senior side.

And Dani Alves capped off the scoring in style with a long-range effort two minutes into injury time.

Levante can regain the lead if they manage an eighth consecutive victory in their match away to Osasuna on Sunday.

Elsewhere, Villarreal managed their first win from nine matches in all competitions, beating Rayo Vallecano 2-0 at home despite a missed penalty from Marcos Senna.

Goals from Bruno and Borja Valero eased the pressure on Villarreal boss Juan Carlos Garrido.

Finally, Sofiane Feghouli scored twice and Aritz Aduriz once as Valencia dispatched Getafe 3-1 at home.

The win lifts Valencia up to fourth, two points back from Levante and four behind Real.