Lionel Messi showed yet again why he is considered the world's best player as he single-handedly destroyed Real Zaragoza on Sunday. The reigning World Player of the Year produced another master class, pulling off his second consecutive league

hat-trick to help Barcelona on their way to a 2-4 victory at La Romareda.  Messi, who has now scored eight goals in three games, propelled Barça back level with Real Madrid at the top of the league after Pelligrini's men had taken the lead again with a win on Saturday.

Earlier in the day, Real Mallorca dismantled 10-man Atlético Madrid 4-1 to climb into the final UEFA Champions League spot.  Mallorca, who have won all but one of their home games this season, took full advantage of an Atlético team that faded after

midfielder Raul Garcia was sent off early in the second half and put themselves firmly in the hunt for European football next season, two points above Sevilla in fourth place, following the Andalucians' 2-0 defeat at Espanyol on Saturday.

Second-half goals from Spain internationals Juan Mata and David Silva fired Champions League-chasing Valencia to a 2-0 victory over Almería.  The victory ended a run of five league and Europa League matches without a victory for third-placed Valencia and means they now boast a four-point gap over Mallorca.

Elsewhere, a Nabil Baha brace earned strugglers Málaga a surprise, but crucial 2-0 victory over Villarreal, whose slim hopes of attaining elite continental football are sinking fast with the Yellow Submarines 10 points off fourth place.

Lowly Racing Santander also steered themselves clear of the relegation zone as they beat Osasuna 3-1 at the Reyno de Navarra.

Real Madrid had to come from behind to see off plucky Sporting Gijón at Santiago Bernabeu, but eventually ran out comfortable 3-1 winners, opening up a brief three-point lead at the top of the table.

Deportivo La Coruña missed the chance to force their way into UEFA Champions League reckoning after going down 2-0 at home to struggling Real Valladolid. Depor's slip allowed Athletic Bilbao to climb above them into sixth, although they could only a muster a 2-2 draw in an ill-tempered contest with Getafe.

Xerez remain eight points adrift of safety, but secured a rare, but morale-boosting 2-1 victory over Tenerife this weekend.

Results:
Málaga 2 - 0 Villarreal
Mallorca 4 - 1 Atlético Madrid
Osasuna 1 - 3 Racing Santander
Real Zaragoza 2 - 4 Barcelona
Valencia 2 - 0 Almería
Bilbao 2 Getafe 2
Deportivo la Coruña 0 Valladolid 2
Xerez 2 Tenerife 1
Real Madrid 3 Sporting Gijón 1
Espanyol 2 Sevilla 0

Liga standings after 27 games:
1  Real Madrid 68
2  Barcelona 68
3  Valencia 50
4  Real Mallorca 46
5  Sevilla 44
6  Athletic Bilbao 42
7  Deportivo La Coruña 42
8  Getafe 37
9  Villarreal 36
10 Atlético Madrid 34
11 Almería 33
12 Sporting Gijón 32
13 Osasuna 31
14 Espanyol 31
15 Málaga 30
16 Racing Santander 30
17 Real Zaragoza 26
18 Real Valladolid 23
19 Tenerife 23
20 Xerez 18

Fixtures:
Tuesday 23rd March
19:00 Sporting Gijón vs Deportivo La Coruña
21:00 Sevilla vs Xerez
Wednesday 24th March
19:00 Almería vs Real Zaragoza
19:00 Barcelona vs Osasuna
19:00 Racing Santander vs Mallorca
19:00 Tenerife vs Villarreal
19:00 Valladolid vs Espanyol
21:00 Valencia vs Málaga
Thursday 25th March
19:00 Getafe vs Real Madrid
21:00 Atlético Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao
Saturday 27th March
17:00 Málaga vs Tenerife
19:00 Mallorca vs Barcelona
21:00 Real Zaragoza vs Valencia
Sunday 28th March
16:00 Deportivo La Coruña vs Getafe
16:00 Espanyol vs Sporting Gijón
16:00 Osasuna vs Almería
16:00 Xerez vs Valladolid
18:00 Villarreal vs Sevilla
20:00 Real Madrid vs Atlético Madrid
Monday 29th March
20:00 Athletic Bilbao vs Racing Santander