Barcelona broke a 27-year old Spanish record by going 35 games unbeaten

Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick as the hosts fell
apart after Ivan Rakitic's opener, a result of a
goalkeeper error.



Diego Llorente was sent off in between two Messi
goals before Manucho replied.
Manuel Iturra then saw red but Luis Suarez had
the resulting penalty saved as Messi wrapped up
a 35th Barca treble before Arda Turan completed
the rout.

It was the Turkish midfielder's first Barcelona goal
since his move from Atletico Madrid last summer,
but in an action-packed game, it was relegated to
a mere footnote.
Luis Enrique's team now sit eight points clear of
second-placed Atletico and they could have easily
made it even more convincing against Rayo, who
are now separated from the relegation zone by
goal difference.

Barcelona twice hit the woodwork with Neymar's
free-kick against the bar falling to Sergio
Busquets, who was brought down for Rayo's
second red card and a penalty.

Rayo goalkeeper Juan Carlos Martin Corral made
up for his earlier mistake by saving Suarez's spot-
kick with Barcelona now having missed half of
their 18 penalties this season. That also includes
the one taken by Messi when he passed to Suarez.
The hosts will argue that Llorente's dismissal was
harsh as he took the ball despite a high tackle on
Rakitic, but they were outclassed as Messi drew
level with Real Madrid's Spanish record-holder
Cristiano Ronaldo on 35 hat-tricks.
The Argentine also took his season's tally to 33
goals.