Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Liga clash between champions Barcelona and Racing Santander at Camp Nou.

FULL TIME. Barcelona take top spot thanks to two goals from Messi and one from Xavi.

Messi fouled as he produces another clever back heel. It's been quite the performance from the Argentina star again.

We will have two minutes of added time.

Barca win a free-kick but David Villa blasts his shot well off target.

If Abidal had scored that the place would have erupted. 3-0 doesn't even come close to underscoring Barca's dominance this evening.

Ooh! Abidal with an overhead kick as the ball pops up to him in the box but Tono saves.

Diop replaced by Marc Torrejon.

Villa is set free by a lovely pass from Thiago and unleashes a fierce effort that flies off target from a tight angle.

Bedia goes into the book for a really horrible, late challenge on Thiago that catches him on the ankle. Arguably a red.

Abidal - what is he doing up there? - is penalised for offside as Messi accelerates into the box.

The substitutions have disrupted Barca's rhythm a touch and they appear to be going down the gears with the final ten minutes approaching.

What chances a Messi hat-trick? I'd think it is almost certain. He already has 10 league goals in seven games this season.

Dani Alves cuts the ball back to the edge of the box where Messi is lurking, but he turns the ball wide of the post with his favoured left foot.

Adriano comes on for Pedro as Barca make their second change.

Seydou Keita is on for Iniesta, who has been impressive upon his return to the side.

Messi is just hilariously good. There's nothing else to it.

GOAL! 3-0 Barcelona! Brilliant from Messi, again. He plays in Iniesta with a wonderful pass and the midfielder lifts the ball over his marker before smacking a shot against the bottom of the post. Who is following up? Messi of course and he bangs the ball home on the half-volley.

Barcelona's possession has crept up to 83 per cent.

Messi slaloms away from two men as he drives into the box with purpose and is brought down by an outstretched leg from Alvaro. The referee somehow neglects to give a spot-kick as Pedro rifles the loose ball wide.

Kone, who has been bright in patches, is replaced by Manuel Arana.