09/03/2015 11:15
Messi scores hat-trick as Barca hit six
Lionel Messi scored the 24th hat-trick of his La Liga career as rampant Barcelona went to the top of the table, BBC Sport reported.
Barca took full advantage of Real Madrid's defeat by Athletic Bilbaoas Luis Suarez also scored twice.
Suarez fired the hosts ahead and Gerard Pique forced in the second before Messi netted three in 12 minutes.
He scored a twice-taken penalty, tapped in the fourth and added a classy fifth before Suarez wrapped it up after an Alberto Bueno penalty for Rayo.
Both sides finished with 10 men as Román Triguero collected a second yellow card for pulling down Suarez, conceding the penalty that allowed Messi to make it 3-0.
Barca defender Dani Alves was then dismissed 10 minutes from the end for tripping Bueno as he went through on goal.