Lionel Messi scored a hat trick as La Liga leaders Barcelona swept aside Real Betis in a 4-1 win at the Estadio Benito Villamarin, to stretch their lead at the top to 10 points.
Messi moved up to 29 La Liga goals for the season, as La Blaugrana took advantage of second place Atletico Madrid's 2-0 defeat away at Athletic Bilbao.
Zinedine Zidane enjoyed a winning return to Real Madrid, as Los Blancos secured a straightforward 2-0 win at home to relegation threatened Celta Vigo, through goals from Isco and Gareth Bale.
Getafe's unlikely push for a Champions League spot stuttered, as they drew 0-0 away at Valencia and Alaves' moved to within two points of them, in fifth, with a 3-1 away win at rock bottom Huesca.
Sevilla kept their hopes of European qualification alive as they won 1-0 at home in Joaquin Caparros' first game in caretaker charge.
Real Valladolid and Villarreal both boosted their hopes of top flight survival, with 2-1 and 3-1 wins over Eibar and Rayo Valleccano respectively.
Valladolid have now opened up a four point gap between themselves in 17th, and Celta Vigo in 18th, ahead of the international break.
