article_snippet: Rayo Vallecano received the ball from Xavi having sprung Rayo’s adventurous offside trap and, with the outside of Rayo Vallecano right boot, spun a shot past the advancing Cristian Alvarez.
article_snippet: It was one of Rayo Vallecano best goals since joining the club, and It was also Rayo Vallecano ninth since the turn of the year.
article_snippet: First Suarez was sent racing away once again as Rayo persisted with a suicidal high defensive line but First Suarez cross to Pedro was cut out by a recovering defender.
article_snippet: The former Liverpool striker then went through on the advancing Cristian Alvarez but was bundled down from behind by Abdoulaye Ba only for the referee to wave play on.
article_snippet: Pedro was next to go close went put through by Messi but Pedro effort was saved by the advancing Cristian Alvarez who was helping to keep Rayo in the game.
article_snippet: Trashorras in particular tested Claudio Bravo from open play and from a free-kick after Javier Mascherano had fouled on the edge of his area and been booked for Javier Mascherano trouble.
article_snippet: Suarez lofted a pass over the top of Rayo’s defensive line to Messi and flicked Messi first time over Messi but just wide of the target.
article_snippet: Xavi took a corner, Jordi Alba headed it on to a post and when it came back down in the six-yard box Pique forced it over the line.
article_snippet: Full-back Tito had been booked in the first half and when Full-back Tito grappled Suarez to ground inside the area the referee pointed to the spot and pulled out a second yellow and then the red.
article_snippet: There was a let-off to come however with the referee deciding it needed to be taken again.
article_snippet: The roof was coming down on Rayo now and Messi soon made The roof 4-0 turning in a Suarez pass.
article_snippet: Alvarez then saved the Barcelona number ten’s free-kick to deny Alvarez a hat-trick.
article_snippet: Alvarez wasn’t denied for long however.
article_snippet: On minute 63 substitute Rafinha sent the ball out to Alba and Alvarez crossed for Messi to quick-step around the last defender and convert for Alvarez third goal of the game, Alvarez 30th of the season and Alvarez 24th
article_snippet: Alves was sent off for bringing down Alberto Bueno.
article_snippet: Alves looked to get the ball before the player but the referee pointed to the spot and the former Real Madrid youngster scored the penalty.
article_snippet: There was still time for Suarez to get Alves second of the game.
article_snippet: Alves raced clear of Rayo’s still stubbornly high line but played in Messi instead of finishing Alves and watched as the pass just run away from Alves team-mate.
article_snippet: Messi repaid the favour when Messi slipped Suarez through and with seconds of normal time remaining Messi made the favour six.
highlights_snippet: Barcelona were awarded a penalty after Tito was sent off for a foul in the area .
  