Luis Suarez' hat-trick fired Barcelona to an 8-0 rout of Cordoba and Cristiano Ronaldo hit a record-breaking 25th La Liga treble as Real Madrid beat Sevilla 3-2 on Saturday. Barca moved closer to their fifth La Liga title in seven years but Real trail them by only two points with three games left.
Champions Atletico Madrid were held to a 0-0 draw by Athletic Bilbao but remained in the driving seat for third place.
Suarez’ prolific form has brought the Uruguayan 17 goals from his last 16 games while Messi has 40 goals, two less than top scorer Ronaldo.
Ronaldo now has the highest number of hat-tricks in La Liga history, one more than Messi. He headed home an Isco cross after 36 minutes and Javier Hernandez flicked on a James Rodriguez cross to the Portuguese who beat goalkeeper Sergio Rico.
Substitute Gareth Bale crossed for a fine header by Ronaldo to complete his hat-trick and condemn Sevilla to their first home defeat in 35 matches in all competitions.
Ivan Rakitic volleyed into the roof of the net to give Barca the lead after 42 minutes at Cordoba and Suarez slotted home in first-half stoppage time.
Messi headed in and Suarez and Gerard Pique added headed goals as Barcelona hit their stride.
Messi scored into an open net and Neymar converted a penalty after he was brought down by defender Adrian Gunino. Barca showed no mercy as Suarez stuck again to seal a resounding win.
