Real Madrid romped to a 4-1 win at high-flying Eibar on Saturday afternoon, temporarily returning to the top of La Liga before a Lionel Messi-inspired Barcelona hammered Celta Vigo 5-0 to retake top spot. Karim Benzema was the focal point of Real’s attack without the suspended Gareth Bale and the injured Cristiano Ronaldo, and he fired Zinedine Zidane’s side ahead in the 14th minute, following up his own shot on the rebound.

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The prolific French forward stretched the advantage in the 25th after latching on to a cross from James Rodríguez. Benzema returned the favour for his Colombian team-mate to net his first league goal since September and put Real 3-0 up inside the first half an hour. Marco Asensio hit the fourth on the hour mark with a rebound after James had struck the post.

Rubén Peña bundled in a consolation goal for Eibar in the 72nd minute but Real still recorded their biggest win since beating Real Sociedad 3-0 in January. The victory will lift Real’s confidence after they had dropped five points in their previous three games. Eibar remain in seventh but the defeat will damage their chances of winning a first-ever place in Europe next season.

Lionel Messi was in brilliant form as the champions Barcelona thrashed Celta Vigo later on Saturday, recording a fourth straight league victory. Messi opened the scoring in the 24th minute after a stunning solo run and then laid on a pass for Neymar to double the lead in the 40th with an irresistible chip.

Ivan Rakitic and Samuel Umtiti added to the scoring in the second half, the latter netting for the first time for the club, as the Catalans produced one of their best performances of the season in their first game since Luis Enrique revealed he would not be continuing as coach after the summer. Messi then capped a virtuoso display with a darting run forward into the box past two defenders and a classy low finish, rounding off a rampant Barcelona display reminiscent of their 6-1 thrashing of Celta last year.

Barcelona top La Liga on 60 points, one ahead of Real Madrid, although Zidane’s side have a game in hand. Sevilla, who are third on 55 points, visit Alavés on Monday.