Barcelona turned in a stunning performance to demolish Atletico Madrid 6-1 at the Nou Camp and underline their title credentials.
Shell shocked Atletico failed to recover after finding themselves 3-0 down in the opening 10 minutes.
The match had been eagerly anticipated all week, with both teams winning both their opening two games in the UEFA Champions League and young Argentine stars Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero being pitted against each other.
Barca opened the scoring after just three minutes when Rafa Marquez headed home from a corner, before Samuel Eto’o doubled their leads moments later.
Quick thinking at a free-kick allowed Messi to place the ball into an empty net as goalkeeper Gregory Coupet was still constructing the wall as the avalanche continued.
Atletico rallied briefly after a fine strike from Maxi Rodriguez, but Barca added two more goals through Eto’o and Eidur Gudjohnsen before even half an hour had been played.
In the second half, with the game won, Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola made several substitutions and Thierry Henry came off the bench to score perhaps the best strike of the game with a well-worked goal.
“I think that was the best match since I came here,” said Guardiola whose side are now second in the table, three points behind Villarreal.
But the Barcelona coach also had to play down rumours of a rift with Eto’o, who was unhappy at being substituted in the second half.
“There is no problem with Eto’o, he’s not angry. He didn’t like being taken off, I know, but that is my decision.”
Downcast Atletico coach Javier Aguirre was quick to accept blame for his team’s performance.
“I’m the only one responsible, it was a sorry game, there is no explanation for conceding three goals like that in eight minutes and it meant that the game was over. They were better than us in everything,” he said.
Elsewhere, Villarreal moved top of the table after coming from behind to beat struggling Real Betis, thanks to goals from Joseba Llorente and Gonzalo Prado.
Villarreal coach Manuel Pellegrini felt tiredness from their Champions League campaign was the reason why his side was not playing at their best.
“I think that one of the keys to the game was the extra break that Betis had as they did not play during the week. Luckily though we had enough in reserve,” he said.
Valencia have the chance to regain top spot when they face Valladolid on Sunday.
Also on Sunday, Real Madrid take on Espanyol, looking to continue their seven match winning streak after a disappointing start to the season.
