La Liga week 27 wrap

Lionel Messi celebrates his hat-trick with his teammates (Reuters)

Barcelona and Real Madrid remain atop the standings in what has developed into a two-horse race. Real Madrid woke up from their first half slumber to beat Sporting Gijon. David Barral opened the scoring for the visitors while Rafael van der Vaart, Xabi Alonso, and Gonzalo Higuaín answered back for Los Merengues.