Barcelona produced a masterclass performance to trounce Atletico Madrid 6-0 at the Vicente Calderon on Sunday to keep pace with leaders Real Madrid.

Lionel Messi gave his side the lead in the 38th minute after playing a brilliant one-two with strike partner Samuel Eto’o before firing past Atletico keeper Iván Cuéllar. Barca doubled their lead six minutes later when rightback Gianluca Zambrotta placed a perfectly flighted lobbed which left the Atletico keeper in no man’s land.

Eto’o was on hand to poke home the third in first half injury time after Deco had lashed a shot across goal before Ronaldinho got in the act with the fourth in the 58th minute after playing a sublime one-two with Samuel Eto’o. Messi got his second of the night in the 80th minute when he lifted the ball past the despairing keeper after being put through by leftback Gio Van Bronckhorst. Barca completed the rout in the 90th minute when Eto’o unselfishly placed an inch perfect pass for Andres Iniesta to guide home Barca’s six goal of the night.