Lionel Messi was in top form as he scored twice and set up two more goals to help Barcelona cruise to a 5-0 win over Celta Vigo on Saturday.
Neymar, Ivan Rakitic and Samuel Umtiti were also on the scoresheet as Barcelona restored their spot atop the table by one point ahead of Real Madrid, who still hold a game in hand.
Messi had already hit the post before he opened the scoring at Camp Nou with a masterful solo effort against a good Celta side who have already beaten Barcelona and Real Madrid this season.
He received the ball near midfield with Celta apparently positioned to keep him in check. But he curled around his marker, sped toward the goal, cut back around a second man, and finished it off with a vicious left-footed strike.
Messi then assisted Neymar by threading a precise pass to meet his strike partner’s run into the box, where Neymar added his own exquisite touch by popping the ball into a perfect tight arc over the helpless keeper.
After their first-half goals, both strikers contributed to Rakitic’s score. And after passing for Umtiti to get his first goal for Barcelona, Messi capped the victory himself with another great goal as he ghosted around two Celta players before firing between the legs of the second one.
Support InfoStride News' Credible Journalism: Only credible journalism can guarantee a fair, accountable and transparent society, including democracy and government. It involves a lot of efforts and money. We need your support. Click here to Donate