Lionel Messi set another mark by breaking Gerd Muller's record of goals scored in a calendar year, as the Argentine superstar netted a brace in a 2-1 win over Real Betis in the La Liga.
Messi was just one short of German legend Muller's record of 85 goals in a year, going into the game against Betis, and it was the best player on the planet who not only got the goals that were needed to set a new mark, but also the key strikes that kept Barcelona's six-point lead at the top.
Earlier, Radamel Falcao scored an astounding five goals in a 6-0 thrashing of Deportivo La Coruna, but was left in the shade by Barcelona's little magician.
Real Madrid had reduced the gap between them and Barcelona to eight points with a come-from-behind 3-2 win over Real Valladolid, but saw the substantial deficit increase to 11 points again. The Spanish champions also stayed five points behind second-placed Atletico, whom they had beaten 2-0 last weekend.
In Betis, Barcelona expectedly bossed possession, and Messi equalled Muller's record in the 16th minute. The Barcelona wonder picked up the ball in a central position before dazzling the Betis defenders and putting the ball perfectly into the bottom corner.
Nine minutes later, it was 2-0 as Messi, this time thanks to a pass from fellow Ballon D'Or nominee Andres Iniesta, slotted the ball into the same corner.
Ruben Castro cut the deficit for Betis with five minutes remaining in the half, before the home side, who had beaten Ream Madrid a couple of weeks back, took control in the second period.
The unlucky home side were denied three times by the woodwork, as Barcelona clung on for the win. Messi also saw his chance to complete a hat-trick denied by Adrian, with the goalkeeper turning the Barcelona forward's strike onto the post.
However, Betis will feel unlucky not to have come away with a single point, while Barcelona maintain their near perfect record of 43 points from 15 matches.
Atletico remained six points adrift with a 6-0 hammering of bottom club Deportivo, with Falcao taking his goal tally to 16 from 15 games, thanks to his five-goal effort.
He is now three ahead of Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, but a massive seven behind Messi for the season.
"I scored five in a game when I was little in Bogota," the Colombian told the Atletico's official website.
"And I got four playing for Porto against Villarreal but never five as a professional.
"I was very excited when I came to Atletico Madrid. It was a personal challenge to play in this great league with such a lot of good players
"I am enjoying it. I have a great squad around me who are supporting me and helping me a great deal to develop as a professional."
Real Madrid needed two goals from Mesut Ozil to earn themselves a 3-2 victory, after Manucho had given Real Valladolid the lead on two occasions. Karim Benzema had scored Real's first goal, to make it 1-1, before Valladolid's former Manchester United striker netted his second to make it 2-1.
However, Ozil came to the party, scoring two key goals to give his side a vital three points.
