MADRID: Lionel Messi scored twice as Barcelona thrashed Racing Santander 4-1 for their fourth win in as many games in the Spanish league.

Barcelona improved to three points clear with 12 points, with Real Madrid, Athletic Bilbao and Sevilla all three behind.

Sevilla handed Mallorca their first defeat by 2-0 with first-half scores from Sebastien Squillaci and Diego Perotti. Zlatan Ibrahimovic headed Messi’s cross from close range and the shot bounced in off defender Henrique for Barcelona’s opener in the 20th minute. In the 24th, Xavi Hernandez and Messi exchanged passes on the edge before the Argentina winger scored with a left-footed shot.

Three minutes later, Gerard Pique controled Ibrahimovic’s backheel from inside the area and shot past goalkeeper Antonio Rodriguez. Barcelona kept possession for long spells throughout and in the first half Santander failed to conjure a single serious chance.

Messi appeared to score his second of the night on the stroke of halftime, but he was ruled offside. Ibrahimovic, who has scored in all four league games, needed treatment after injuring his ankle in the 46th. He returned to the field but was replaced in the 53rd by Pedro Rodriguez. Barcelona appeared to relax in the second half, but Messi raised the temperature in the 68th, drifting past the defense on the edge of the area and sending a left-foot shot into the top left corner of the goal. His fifth goal of the season made him the league top scorer.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola took off the Argentine a minute later and sent in Andres Iniesta, who recently returned from injury. Santander finally got on the scoreboard in the 71st, when winger Oscar Serrano dribbled through the Barcelona defense and fired a left-footed shot into the top-left corner. In the 87th, Santander’s Laszlo Sepsi appeared to pull down Rodriguez in the area but referee Mateu Lahoz waved play on.