Messi reaches 50-goal mark as Barca routs Cordoba

Lionel-Messi;-Barcelona

Barcelona's Lionel Messi, centre. (Daniel Tejedor/AP)

BARCELONA, Spain — Luis Suarez netted a hat trick while Lionel Messi scored his 50th and 51st goals of the season in all competitions as Barcelona routed last-place Cordoba 8-0 on Saturday to provisionally extend its lead of the Spanish league.

Barcelona opened up a five-point gap over Real Madrid before the second-place side visits Sevilla later, while Cordoba’s 17th round without a win confirmed the team’s relegation.

Messi played Ivan Rakitic clear to start the rout in the 42nd minute, and Suarez got his first goal in first-half injury time.

Dani Alves crossed for Messi and Suarez to add two headed goals before Gerard Pique netted a header of this own.

Messi, Neymar and Suarez then polished off the demolition.

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