Messi mops up points for Barça

Difficult opponents
Struggling Athletic made life difficult for their illustrious hosts, and went in front through Fernando Llorente before goals from Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi turned the game in favour of the league leaders.

Nerveless penalty
Llorente silenced the Camp Nou crowd after a quarter of an hour when he sent a glancing header past Victor Valdés in the Barcelona goal. The home side struggled to assert themselves until Fernando Amorebieta handled inside the Athletic box on 38 minutes, and Ronaldinho sent a nerveless penalty low into the right-hand corner.

Messi tap-in
The Brazilian playmaker showed some sensational touches as Barça rediscovered their swagger after the break, and they went in front six minutes into the half when Mark van Bommel's shot was parried to the feet of Messi, who converted a simple tap-in. However, the defending champions had Portuguese midfielder Deco sent off in added-time at the end of the second half following a clash with Carlos Gurpegi.

Zidane first 
Zinédine Zidane scored his first hat-trick for Real Madrid CF as they thrilled their way to a 4-2 win against Sevilla FC at the Santiago Bernabeu. The Frenchman struck a 58th-minute penalty, added his second on the hour and then wrapped up the victory for Madrid in the final minute. Guti had earlier scored the home side's opener, while Luis Fabiano and Aitor Ocio responded for Sevilla. The win takes Madrid to fourth in the Primera División.

Alavés sensation
Barcelona's lead at the top is seven points over CA Osasuna, who were beaten 3-0 by Valencia CF on Saturday. Athletic stay on 15 points, with just goal difference keeping them ahead of bottom club Deportivo Alavés, who claimed a sensational 2-0 win away against RC Deportivo La Coruña.

Racing victory
Another surprise came at El Sardinero, where Real Racing Club Santander ran out 1-0 winners against UEFA Champions League side Villarreal CF. Real Zaragoza defeated RCD Mallorca 3-1, RCD Espanyol won 1-0 away against Real Sociedad de Fútbol, and Cádiz CF triumphed 2-0 at Málaga CF. In the day’s other game, Getafe CF and RC Celta de Vigo played out a 1-1 draw.