Lionel Messi struck a hat-trick as Barcelona thrashed Atletico Madrid 5-0 last night.

With the Rojiblancos having scored eight goals in their last two outings and Barcelona labouring against Valencia in midweek, some thought a shock may have been on the cards on Saturday night.

But Pep Guardiola's men laid on a performance reminiscent of the one that saw them hit Osasuna for eight last Saturday, with Messi joined on the scoresheet by David Villa, while Joao Miranda also put through his own goal.

Messi's treble saw him go stride-for-stride with Ronaldo who scored three for Real Madrid against Rayo Vallecano, and was his 12th hat-trick for the club.

His side also managed to keep man-of-the-moment Radamel Falcao quiet, with the Colombia striker having scored six goals in his previous three games.