Barcelona have cruised past Rayo Vallecano with a thumping 6-0 win at Camp Nou in a La Liga match in which Lionel Messi went joint-third on the all-time scoring chart.
The hosts got off to the best possible start, as Adriano cut inside from the left before firing a low shot into the opposite corner to put his side 1-0 up.
© Getty Images
On 10 minutes Andres Iniesta's quick-thinking almost got a second for his side, but his half-volley from near the half-way line went just wide of Ruben Martinez's goal.
Then just before the half-hour mark Iago Falque had a great chance to equalise. Victor Valdes pushed away an effort from Alberto Bueno, and he did just enough to close his legs to keep out the rebound.
With 10 minutes of the half remaining, Messi scored a trademark goal. He was threaded in by a fine pass from Cesc Fabregas, before clipping over the advancing Ruben for 2-0.
© Getty Images
Barca ran riot in the second half and within 11 minutes of the restart they had made it 4-0. First Alexis Sanchez slid past Ruben after being found by Messi, and then Pedro was set up by a wonderful Fabregas assist.
Messi then moved level with Raul in third place on La Liga goals scored with 228 when he added his second of the night, rounding off a fine team move after being teed up by the combined effort of Fabregas and Sanchez.
© Getty Images
There was still time for a wonder goal from Neymar, who slammed the ball home from 25 yards to complete the rout at Camp Nou.
Matt Domm
