Barcelona: Bravo, Pique, Xavi, Pedro, Iniesta (Rafinha 66), Suarez, Messi, Mascherano (Rakitic 66), Alba (Adriano 76), Alves, Mathieu
Rayo Vallecano: Alvarez, Tito, Amaya, Ba, Insua, Trashorras, Lica (Aquino 71), Jozabed (Quini 66), Bueno, Kakuta, Baptistao (Manucho 83)
Leo Messi and Luis Suarez inspire Barca to a comprehensive win over Madrid club Rayo as they thrash them 6-1. This win temporarily propelled Barca to the top of the table as the title race heats up.
Luis Suarez opened the scoring in sixth minute as he latched on to a exquisite pass from Xavi and topped it with a sublime finish as the Uruguayan is beginning to flourish at Camp Nou since his move in summer.
Gerrard Pique scored the second as Barca entered into second half with a bang.
Messi scored a hat trick as he and Suarez combined well to blow Rayo’s defense. He opened his account in 56th minute and from then on he was just unstoppable. He bamboozled Rayo with his vintage self. He completed his hat-trick in 68th minute with a bit of drama surrounding his penalty kick. The Argentine was adjudged Man of the Match and deservedly so after the splendid display which decimated Rayo.
Luis Suarez completed his brace in the 90th minute as Barca completed the rout. Alberto Bueno scored the consolation goal for the visitors. The league is slowly beginning to be a two horse race as both Barca and Real are beginning to pull away from the rest of the league.