( CNN ) -- Lionel Messi scored a sensational second-half hat-trick as Barcelona beat 10-man Valencia 3-0 on Sunday , but they remain behind Spanish Primera Liga leaders Real Madrid , who beat Valladolid 4-1 in the late match . After a goalless opening 45 minutes at the Nou Camp , the introduction of substitute Thierry Henry turned the game , with the Frenchman 's pace and guile causing chaos in the Valencia defence , allowing Messi to take full advantage with three superb goals . The opener came in the 56th minute when the 22-year-old Argentine somehow weaved his way past three defenders before slotting home from a tight angle . Valencia then missed a golden opportunity to level when giant striker Nikola Zigic was foiled by goalkeeper Victor Valdes after being put clean through . Then , just a minute later , the visitors had Hedwiges Maduro sent off for two bookable offences on Messi -- leaving gaps at the back that Barcelona exploited . Messi curled home his second goal with nine minutes remaining and just a minute later Valencia 's defence parted again to allow Messi to chip home a delightful third goal . Valencia remain third despite the defeat , but they are now a massive 18 points off the lead , leaving the title race very much a two-team affair . Despite the victory , Barcelona remain behind bitter rivals Real Madrid on goal difference after Manuel Pellegrino 's side recovered well from their Champions League exit to Lyon in midweek by thrashing Valladolid . Striker Gonzalo Higuain emulated the feat of fellow-Argentine Messi with a hat-trick , with Cristiano Ronaldo netting the opener courtesy of a trademark free-kick , as Real remain top by virtue of having a two-goal better goal difference . Elsewhere , Villarreal improved their chances of reaching the Europa League with a 2-0 home win over Xerez -- avenging their 2-1 defeat to the bottom side last October .
Lionel Messi scores a superb hat-trick as Barcelona thump Valencia 3-0 . But Real Madrid remain top of the table after a 4-1 victory at Valladolid . The win lifts them to second place in La Liga and puts Barca three points clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid.