Cordoba, May 3 (Xinhua): Striker Luis Suarez netted a hat-trick and forward Lionel Messi scored two goals as first-placed FC Barcelona gave an 8-0 drubbing here to lowly Cordoba, whose relegation to the second division is assured after the loss.
Barcelona had complete control of the match at Nuevo Arcangel Stadium from the outset on Saturday, but the floodgates did not open until late in the first half when Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic powered the ball into the roof of the goal after Messi found him with a lobbed pass in the 42nd minute, reports Efe.
Three minutes later, Suarez got his first goal thanks to tentative play by Cordoba goalkeeper Juan Carlos, who allowed the Uruguayan to receive a pass from midfielder Andres Iniesta and direct it home from a few yards out.
The Catalan team continued to pile on the pressure after the intermission, heading in three goals in the span of 20 minutes, with Messi, Suarez and Gerard defender Pique doing the honours.
Messi then notched his second goal of the match and 40th in 2014-2015 La Liga in the 79th minute, tapping in from point-blank range after Suarez appeared to be fouled in the area.
The Argentine superstar could have extended his La Liga goal-scoring lead over Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo to two a few minutes later but instead allowed striker Neymar to convert a penalty opportunity.
Suarez then completed his hat-trick - his first as a member of FC Barcelona - when a long-range shot from Xavi Hernandez deflected off a Cordoba defender and set him up for an easy strike.
With the win, Barcelona (87 points) extended its lead over second-placed Real Madrid to five points.
Cordoba, meanwhile, remained stuck in last place with 20 points and now is assured of an unwanted spot in Spain's second division in the 2015-2016 season.
In other action on Saturday, reigning champions Atletico Madrid had to settle for a 0-0 draw at the Vicente Calderon Stadium against Athletic Bilbao but still has a strong grip on third place with three games remaining in the season.