( CNN ) -- Lionel Messi scored a record 50th goal this season as Barcelona bounced back from midweek Spanish Cup heartache to maintain an eight-point lead in La Liga on Saturday . The two-time world player of the year became the first player to reach the half-century mark in a Spanish season as he moved past Real Madrid 's Hungarian legend Ferenc Puskas in a 2-0 win over Osasuna . The 23-year-old scored 47 in all competitions last season , matching Brazil legend Ronaldo 's Barcelona record . With arch-rivals Real Madrid following up Wednesday 's extra-time Copa del Rey triumph by thrashing third-placed Valencia 6-3 earlier , the pressure was on Barcelona to respond . Coach Pep Guardiola followed Real 's Jose Mourinho in fielding a much-changed line-up ahead of Wednesday 's Champions League semifinal first leg between the two teams in Madrid . Real star Ramos laughs off trophy blunder . But while Messi started on the bench , David Villa retained his place up front -- and it was the Spain striker who broke the deadlock in the 24th minute when he scored his first goal since February . Villa slid home at the far post to convert a superb low cross from the left by Jeffren for his 18th league goal this season , and first in 11 matches . Xavi , Andres Iniesta and Messi came on in the second half , and the Argentina forward -- who replaced Villa -- settled the match with three minutes to play after being set up by Dani Alves . The victory left Barca on course for a third straight title with five matches to play , while Osasuna remained two points above the relegation zone . Real got the better of Barca for the first time this season with a strong defensive effort in Valencia , but went all guns blazing in Saturday 's return to the Mestalla . Is Mourinho the master of mind games ? Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain scored a hat-trick and Brazil star Kaka netted twice in a match that Madrid led 5-0 after 53 minutes . France striker Karim Benzema opened the floodgates in the 23rd minute , and Higuain had completed his treble by the time in-form striker Roberto Soldado pulled one back on the hour for Valencia . But Kaka , who set up two of Higuain 's efforts , restored Real 's five-goal advantage with a superb solo burst into the box just two minutes later . Valencia threatened a late comeback when Jonas and substitute Jordi Alba scored in the last 10 minutes , but the match highlighted the gulf of class in Spain with Real moving 17 points clear of the home team . In Saturday 's late match , fifth-placed Athletic Bilbao beat Basque rivals Real Sociedad 2-1 to move five points clear of Sevilla , who host Champions League hopefuls Villarreal on Sunday . Teenager Iker Muniain and Gaizka Toquero scored inside the opening half hour , but an own-goal by Javi Martinez soon after the latter 's effort gave the 13th-placed visitors hope .
Barcelona eight points clear in Spain as Lionel Messi scores record 50th goal of season . Argentine comes off the bench in much-changed team for 2-0 win over Osasuna . Real Madrid continue from cup win with 6-3 thrashing of third-placed Valencia . Fifth-placed Athletic Bilbao beat Basque rivals Real Sociedad 2-1 at home .