Facts and figures from the Rayo game

- The competition for the Pitxitxi goes on, with Leo Messi’s brace taking him level with Cristiano Ronaldo on 43 La Liga goals.

- Pinto was back between the sticks for his first league start since the game against Maaalaga at the end of last season.

- Barça achieved their seventh away win on the run with the 0-7 thrashing.

- That result was the fourth time Barça have won 0-7 in the league, the first since the 1962/63 win against Malaga.

- Barça have now scored 104 league goal so far this season and are just one short of the record they set in the 08/09 season when they bagged 105.

- Alexis scored his 12th goal of the season, making him the team’s second highest scorer.

- Afellay made his reappearance after a seven and a half month layoff. His last league game was in another big win – the 8-0 thrashing of Osasuna at the Camp Nou on September 17th 2011.