Messi sets new record as Barcelona hit six

FC Barcelona top the Spanish Liga on goal difference, a figure boosted significantly by a 6-0 home success against Rayo Vallecano de Madrid, while Club Atlético de Madrid triumphed against Real Valladolid CF.

Barça's rout of Rayo, their biggest win since the opening day of the season, was kick-started by Adriano, who got the ball rolling with the fastest goal in the Liga this term – a stunning strike from distance. Lionel Messi shaped the victory, however, scoring a second double in as many Liga outings, in the process surpassing Telmo Zarra as the player with the most goals for a single Spanish club as the 26-year-old took his Blaugrana tally to 337.

Alexis Sánchez and Pedro Rodríguez also got on the scoresheet, while substitute Neymar capped his return from an ankle injury with a terrific curling finish late on.

In contrast, Atlético went into their home game against Valladolid on a three-game losing run, without a goal in 274 minutes. They wasted no time ending that, Raúl García breaking the deadlock inside three minutes. Within 60 seconds Diego Costa added another – his 21st Liga goal of the season – and from then on Diego Simeone's men were in cruise control, Diego Godín rounding off a 3-0 win 16 minutes from time.

Elsewhere, Levante UD beat UD Almería 1-0, while Villarreal CF's ambitions of overhauling Athletic Club in fourth were spoiled as Fabián Orellana's goal seven minutes from time earned RC Celta de Vigo victory in the late game.