Lionel Messi recorded a hat-trick in Barca's 4-0 thumping of Deportivo La Coruna, while a much-needed Real Madrid victory and Atletico's jump into third place also highlighted La Liga action on Sunday.
Lionel Messi once again responded to speculation about his Barcelona future with a sensational performance on the pitch, scoring a hat-trick as the Catalans trounced Deportivo La Coruna 4-0.
The Argentinian sounded the alarm bells last week by declaring at the FIFA Ballon d'Or ceremony that he did not know where he would be next year, but gave Barca a two-goal advantage at the break at Riazor and then completed his treble in the second half.
A late own goal by defender Sidnei compounded struggling Depor's misery.
Real Madrid struck three times in 16 second-half minutes to finally end the dogged resistance of local rivals Getafe, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale the men on the mark in a 3-0 win.
After being kept goalless for more than an hour, Madrid's much-vaunted strikeforce made the breakthrough they had been searching for in the 63rd minute when Ronaldo finished off a well-worked move.
Bale then volleyed home a second before Ronaldo wrapped up the triumph with Madrid's third 11 minutes from time, ensuring Carlo Ancelotti's men would finish the first half of the Primera Division season on top of the standings.
Atletico Madrid climbed back into third place in the Primera Division standings thanks to their 2-0 victory at home to Granada on Sunday.
Mario Mandzukic gave Atleti the lead from the penalty spot in the 34th minute, after Abdoul Sissoko fouled Diego Godin in the box, before Raul Garcia headed in the second with less than two minutes remaining to seal the win.
The result means Diego Simeone's men jump Valencia and are now four points adrift of league leaders Real Madrid.
Sevilla moved into fourth place in the Primera Division standings following a 2-0 victory over Malaga at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.
A first-half opener from Carlos Bacca and a moment of magic from second-half substitute Denis Suarez won the game for Unai Emery's side, who remain unbeaten at home this season.
The three points moved the hosts up one place into the last Champions League spot, while Malaga remain eight points further back in seventh.
Elche moved out of the relegation zone after narrowly beating fellow strugglers Levante 1-0 after the visitors had to play the majority of the game with 10 men.
Jonathas de Jesus put the hosts in front shortly after David Navarro had been sent off and then both sides missed penalties either side of halftime, and Elche hung on for a vital victory.
Fran Escriba's side began the match bottom of the Primera Division but climbed up to 16th place after this victory, which follows last weekend's triumph at Athletic Bilbao.
Levante meanwhile slip into the bottom three and have now gone seven games without a league win.