Lamine Yamal hat-trick put four past hapless Villarreal
Barcelona extended their lead at the top of the table to four points after a commanding 4-1 victory over Villarreal at the Spotify Camp Nou.
Both sides had an even start in the first ten minutes of the half before the home side took control with Lamine Yamal slotting home from a sharp Fermin Lopez assist in the 27th minute.
The Yellow submarine tried to rally back immediately but consistently fell victim to Barca's off-side trap before Yamal provided a moment of brilliance to extend the lead ten minutes before half time.
The visitors pulled one back three minutes into the second half with Papa Gueye's clinical finish from a Santiago Mourino assist.
However, the Catalans began dominating in search of a third goal and were duly rewarded when Man of the Match Yamal completed his hat-trick in the 68-minute.
Substitute Robert Lewandowski put icing on the cake with a great finish inside the box only a minute into additional time.
"I want to praise the whole team," said Barcelona coach Hansi Flick after the match.
"When we lost the ball, we pressed very well, and that's what we need."
The German manager also praised Spain sensation Lamine Yamal for his performance.
"Opponents put two or three players on him and that makes it difficult. Today I'm very happy for him. When he enjoys his football, it's perfect for him and for us."
Atletico edge Oviedo to jump to third
Atletico Madrid defeated bottom of the table Real Oviedo 1-0 in their clash at the Carlos Tartiere Stadium.
Real Oviedo started brightly, pressing hard and almost forcing Jan Oblak into a third minute error before Vinas forced a sharp save after being put through on goal.
At the stroke of half time, Ilyas Chaira forced a huge save the Atletico goalkeeper from close range, with the goal bound shot tipped over expertly for a corner.
Diego Simeone introduced Julian Alvarez for Ademola Lookman at half-time as the visitors tried to assert themselves into the match.
Both sides struggled to create clear chances until Alex Baena slotted home for Atletico five minutes from full time, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside after a VAR check.
However, in the last minute of injury time Atletico crowded the Oviedo box with Julian Alvarez creating space to slot home a heartbreaking winner.
Sociedad bounce back to winning ways at Mallorca
Seventh placed Real Sociedad edged relegation threatened Mallorca 1-0 at the Iberostar Stadium on Saturday.
The home side were largely dominated in the first half, being restricted to speculative efforts before Carlos Soler capitalized on Sociedad's momentum to slot home in the 36th minute.
A gritty second half produced few shots on target with Mallorca piling on the pressure in the final stages, but Vedat Muriqi and Antonio Raillo could not convert their headers as the visitors held on for the win.
Vallecano, Athletic play out hard-fought draw
Rayo Vallecano were held to a 1-1 draw by ninth placed Athletic Club at the Estadio de Vallecas in Madrid on Saturday.
The home side dominated the first half and took a deserved lead through a Jorge de Frutos 35th minute strike which was confirmed following a VAR review.
However, Bilbao hit back immediately upon the second half restart, with Inaki Williams latching onto a perfect pass from half-time substitute Alex Berenguer.
Rayo piled on the pressure late on but could not convert their chances and had to settle for the draw which leaves them in 14th spot on the table.
Barcelona were eliminated from the Copa del Rey at the semi-final stage despite winning the second leg at Camp Nou, as Atletico Madrid progressed with a 4-3 aggregate victory.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has made it clear his players must believe in themselves and "make the impossible possible" as they prepared to face Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi‑final on Tuesday night.
Alvaro Arbeloa admitted responsibility for Real Madrid's 1-0 defeat to Getafe CF but insisted the La Liga title race was far from over after a frustrating Monday night at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Santi Comesana believes the momentum of Villarreal's clash with Barcelona shifted decisively when Hansi Flick turned to his bench during Saturday's La Liga encounter at Camp Nou.
