( CNN ) -- Two more goals from Lionel Messi , taking him to 50 goals in all competitions in a remarkable season , saw Barcelona win 2-0 at Racing Santander on Sunday to close the gap on Spanish leaders Real Madrid back to 10 points . Fresh from bagging an astonishing five goals in the 7-1 Champions League rout of Bayer Leverkusen in midweek , the Argentine maestro again proved the catalyst for another Barcelona win as the defending Spanish champions kept within range of Jose Mourinho 's side , who beat Real Betis 3-2 on Saturday . Racing appointed Alvaro Cervera as their new coach last weekend in an attempt to arrest a slide that has seen them drop into the relegation zone after going eight matches without a victory . Messi hits record five in Barcelona rout . However , they always looked second best against a Barca side , who went ahead in the 29th minute when Messi slid home to score from close range after being set up by Cesc Fabregas on the right . And Fabregas also played a hand in the second goal -- the former Arsenal midfielder earning a 56th minute penalty after being fouled by Domingo Cisma , with Messi making no mistake from the spot . Barca wasted further chances to extend their advantage , but Messi missed a one-on-one opportunity for his hat-trick , while Juan Cuenca struck the post . Of his 50 goals this season , Messi has scored 30 in the Primera Liga , meaning he still trails Cristiano Ronaldo by two goals in the Spanish golden boot standings . Pep Guardiola 's side are now a massive 24 points clear of third-placed Valencia , who squandered a two-goal lead before being held 2-2 by Real Mallorca . Valencia , who have won just one of their last four matches , went ahead through Tino Costa 's deflected shot and doubled their advantage early in the second half when a mistake from Mallorca goalkeeper Dudu Aouate allowed Aritz Aduriz to score . But Emilio Nsue and Victor Casadesus turned things around for the visitors and Valencia ended the match with 10 men after Costa was dismissed for a two-footed challenge . Elsewhere , Atletico Madrid and Espanyol kept alive their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League . Nigeria international Kalu Uche scored a hat-trick as Espanyol crushed Rayo Vallecano 5-1 , while Atletico beat Granada 2-0 . Atletico and Espanyol lie eighth and ninth in the table respectively , a point behind seventh-placed Athletico Bilbao -- who slumped to a 2-1 defeat at Osasuna . Bilbao failed to kick on from Thursday 's impressive 3-2 Europa League victory at Manchester United . Osasuna took the lead when Ander Iturraspe headed a free-kick into his own goal after nine minutes and Raul Garcia doubled the lead before Spain striker Fernando Llorente pulled a goal back for the visitors .
Two more goals from Lionel Messi saw Barcelona defeat Racing Santander 2 - 0 . Rafael 's double takes him to 50 goals in all competitions this season and seven this week . Barcelona 's win means they trail leaders Real Madrid by two points in the Primera Liga . Third - placed Barcelona waste a two - goal lead and are held to a 2 - 2 draw by Real Mallorca .