Madrid: A hat-trick by Lionel Messi inspired Barcelona to an 8-0 rout of Osasuna in La Liga on Saturday as the champions responded with a devastating performance after a poor week by their high standards.

The Champions League holders were accused of complacency after blowing leads against Real Sociedad and AC Milan to twice draw 2-2 but they stormed into a 5-0 halftime lead against Osasuna at the Nou Camp.

David Villa scored twice, Cesc Fabregas, Xavi and visiting defender Roversio (own goal) joined Messi on the scoresheet as Barca climbed to second in the table with seven points from three matches. “It was the same last year, people question you when you don’t win but this is normal,” Barca defender Sergio Busquets said. “We played very well, we had a lot of chances, it was a very good performance.”

Barca are two points behind leaders Valencia who were 1-0 winners at Sporting Gijon earlier in the day after striker Roberto Soldado scored his fifth league goal of the season. Sevilla, in third spot, joined Barca on seven points after Frederic Kanoute scored the only goal in a 1-0 home win over Real Sociedad.

Soldado, in the running for a place in Spain’s Euro 2012 squad, tapped in at the back post for Valencia after Gijon keeper Juan Pablo could only parry a shot in the 29th minute.

Valencia, held to a disappointing 0-0 draw at Racing Genk in the Champions League in midweek, maintained their 100 percent La Liga record.

Real Madrid, Malaga and Real Betis have six points.

Malaga were 1-0 winners at Real Mallorca where a Martin Demichelis header went in off home defender Pablo Caceres just before the break.

Nigeria striker Ike Uche scored Granada’s first goal in the top flight in 35 years, earning the promoted side a surprise 1-0 home win over Villarreal.

The Andalucians had lost their first two matches without scoring but Uche’s powerful 56th-minute header proved decisive as Giuseppe Rossi missed a late penalty for the visitors.