Lionel Messi hit a hat-trick as Barcelona thumped Tenerife 5-0 yesterday.

The hosts were by far the better side in the opening half hour and could have been three up within 15 minutes had Alejandro Alfaro done better with a hat-trick of chances - but astonishingly Barca went in at half-time 3-0 up thanks to two from Messi and a rare Carles Puyol goal.

Messi completed his hat-trick after 75 minutes before Ezequiel Luna's own goal completed a miserable night for Tenerife, as Barca ensured Real Madrid would not finish the day on top of the league.

Barca coach Pep Guardiola said: "Until we scored the first it was very even and the only difference was Tenerife failed to score. They had three clear chances and we were in trouble but after the first went in the game was different," he said afterwards at a press conference.

"In every game you play there is always good and bad but when we start we play as though we have achieved nothing. Until the first goal the difference is that Victor Valdes was wonderful and they lacked luck."

He added: "I ignore those who say we are not the same as in 2009. The situation does not change much in a few days. I sense that things are going well and I'm thinking about the important match against Sevilla on Wednesday."