Barcelona 6-1 Rayo Vallecano: Messi & Suarez shines as hosts go top of La Liga

Lionel Messi was the star of the show for Barcelona as he fired in a hat-trick to secure a 5-1 win over Rayo on Sunday.

The Blaugrana capitalised on an earlier slip-up from Real Madrid to overtake their fierce rivals at the top of La Liga.

Luis Suarez opened the scoring in the early stages of the game with Gerard Pique adding another just four minutes into the second half.

Then Messi took over, smashing three beyond the visitors to complete an easy rout for Luis Enrique's side and make Dani Alves' late red card and subsequent penalty from Alberto Bueno irrelevant.

Suarez then added a sixth for his side in injury time, making it a rather humiliating afternoon for the visitors.