Lionel Messi netted two typically brilliant goals and a rare header as Barcelona closed to within two points of La Liga leaders Real Madrid, at least for a few hours, with a 4-1 win at Malaga on Sunday.
The Argentine World Player of the Year leaped to nod Adriano's floated cross into the bottom corner in the 33rd minute at the Rosaleda before Alexis Sanchez made it 2-0 three minutes into the second half.
Any lingering Malaga hopes were snuffed out three minutes later when Messi slotted his second, a trademark run and finish that left the home defence in disarray.
The 24-year-old, who won a third successive World Player award this month, curled a free kick on to the underside of the crossbar 15 minutes from time before he again left his hapless markers trailing to complete his hat-trick in the 82nd minute.
His 22nd goal of the campaign put him one ahead of Real forward Cristiano Ronaldo at the top of the scorers chart.
Substitute Salomon Rondon, who replaced former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy with half an hour remaining, scored a consolation for the home side five minutes from time.
"It was important to win today and I managed to get a few goals too so I am pleased all round," Messi, clutching his 'hat-trick' match ball, told Spanish television.
"All the games are tough when you are away from home but now we need to recuperate for what will definitely be a difficult match on Wednesday," he added, in reference to Barca's King's Cup quarter-final second leg at home to Real.
REPORTED RIFT
Victory lifted Barca to 44 points from 19 of 38 matches, with Real on 46 ahead of their home game against Athletic Bilbao later on Sunday (2030 GMT).
Third-placed Valencia dropped points for the fourth time in five matches and are nine behind Barca after conceding a goal in added time in a 1-1 draw at Osasuna earlier on Sunday.
Roberto Soldado looked to have secured victory for Unai Emery's side when he nodded his 12th goal of the season six minutes from time at the Reyno de Navarra stadium in Pamplona.
However, Valencia captain David Albelda was shown a straight red card moments later for a badly-timed lunge on David Timor and defender Lolo scrambled the ball home from the resulting free kick to rescue a point for the home side.
Levante can close to within two points of city rivals Valencia with a win at home to bottom club Real Zaragoza later on Sunday (1845).
Real Madrid need to recover from Wednesday's 2-1 Cup defeat at home to Barca amid reports in local media of a rift in the dressing room.
Sports daily Marca carried quotes from what it said was a row between coach Jose Mourinho and defender Sergio Ramos and the paper said some Real players had lost confidence in the former Inter Milan and Chelsea manager.
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