Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick to inspire Barcelona to a record-breaking 35 games unbeaten streak following a 5-1 win at Rayo Vallecano on Thursday.
The Catalan giants romped to victory after the hosts were reduced to nine men following red cards to Diego Llorente and Manuel Iturra either side of the break.
Luis Enrique’s crew topped Real Madrid’s record for most games without a loss, established back in the 1988-1989 season, as Messi, Ivan Rakitic and Arda Turan scored for Los Blaugranas.
The current La Liga leaders could have won by a wider margin, but Luis Suárez missed yet another penalty kick for the side.
Barcelona’s streak started back in October, precisely with a win against Rayo Vallecano.
Their historic 35-game streak includes victories in all sorts of tournaments, including the Copa del Rey, the Club World Cup and the UEFA Champions League.
Messi’s hat-trick takes his goal tally to 34 in all competitions this season and 20 in 2016 alone.
Thursday’s result also provided Enrique’s men with their 29th victory in all competitions since October 3, 2015, when they last suffered defeat after falling 2-1 away to Sevilla .
Last season’s treble winners are within reaching distance of another clean sweep of trophies this season as they lead the Primera Division by eight points.
They also face Sevilla in the final of this season’s Copa del Rey and claimed a 2-0 lead over Arsenal in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League round-of-16 tie.
