BARCELONA, España (AP) — El Barcelona sigue con su ritmo trepidante en la liga española de fútbol y el sábado hilvanó su quinta victoria seguida al superar 3-1 al Zaragoza con el octavo doblete de la temporada de Lionel Messi.

Messi anotó a los 16 y 60 minutos, y dio el pase para el gol de Alex Song (28). El astro argentino llegó a 78 dianas en 2012, para acercarse al récord de 85 en un año natural del alemán Gerd Mueller y afianzarse como máximo cañonero del campeonato con 17 tantos por la 12da fecha.

"No vamos a descubrir ahora a Leo, pero está claro que él solo no gana. Decir eso es simplificarlo mucho", opinó el estratega Tito Vilanova.

Paco Montañés (24) anotó el gol del Zaragoza, que no gana en liga en el Camp Nou desde 1965.

El Real Madrid cerró la jornada ganando de local por 5-1 al Athletic de Bilbao para mantenerse ocho puntos detrás de los azulgranas, líderes invictos con 34.

La victoria madridista estuvo marcada por la exhibición de Karim Benzema, quien forzó un gol en contra de Jon Aurtenetxe (12) para abrir la lata y anotó el tercero (32). Los otros goles fueron marcados por Sergio Ramos (30), Mesut Oezil (56) y Sami Khedira (72). Ibai Gómez (42) recortó por el conjunto del argentino Marcelo Bielsa, que vio rota una racha de dos victorias seguidas.

Cristiano Ronaldo no anotó en el triunfo del Madrid y sigue segundo en la tabla de goleadores, con 12 conquistas.

En el Barsa-Zaragoza, Messi lanzó un zurdazo ligeramente desviado antes de anotar el primer gol tras una buena jugada colectiva con apertura a Jordi Alba y devolución del lateral para el argentino, que controló con la diestra y definió con la izquierda, raso ante Roberto Jiménez.

El Zaragoza niveló a balón parado cuando Montañés empalmó un mal rechace de Martín Montoya en un tiro de esquina y el balón rebotó en el cuerpo de Carles Puyol, superando a Víctor Valdés.

Pero los azulgranas también tiraron de estrategia para recuperar la ventaja, sacando de esquina en corto y agarrados a la magia de Messi, que profundizó en la defensa antes de servir atrás para que Song se estrenara como goleador con el equipo azulgrana.

Víctor Rodríguez rozó nuevamente el empate en un disparo cruzado pero, en la segunda mitad, Messi añadió a su cuenta con una espectacular rosca que dio en la base interior del poste antes de caer en la red visitante.

La madera sí repelió un posterior intento de Andrés Iniesta.

El Madrid fue una auténtica avalancha ante el Athletic, que acusó la baja del organizador Ander Herrera y la prolongada suplencia del goleador Fernando Llorente.

"Lo bueno es que este equipo tiene gran amplitud que tiene muchos jugadores con llegada. No siempre marcan los mismos", señaló Ramos.

Los bilbaínos nunca pudieron frenar el juego en largo del Madrid ni neutralizar a Benzema, magistral en el control de un balonazo de Luka Modric que Aurtenetxe convirtió en gol en contra con un sombrero sobre Gorka Iraizoz.

La movilidad de Cristiano y José Callejón mareó al Athletic, que encajó el segundo en un cabezazo de Sergio Ramos tras un tiro libre y se sintió impotente cuando Benzema se inventó el tercero en una espectacular media vuelta y potente comba a la red.

El equipo de Bielsa reaccionó tras un poste de Callejón, recortando por vía de Gómez, quien remató un balón raso de Andoni Iraola.

Pero el vendaval madridista no cejó en la segunda mitad, y Benzema tuvo tiempo de asistir a Oezil para el cuarto tanto antes del quinto de Khedira, en disparo cruzado.

"Ofrecimos esfuerzo y cierto orden pero cada pelota perdida tenia consecuencia de peligro para nuestro arco. Las diferencias fueron insalvables", analizó Bielsa.

En otros resultados, el Valencia venció 2-1 al Espanyol y hundió un poco más el equipo del argentino Mauricio Pochettino en la cola de la clasificación tras el empate 0-0 entre Osasuna y Málaga. Los catalanes son últimos con nueve unidades, las mismas que el conjunto navarro.

Jonathan Viera (16) adelantó al Valencia, Samuele Longo (31) niveló y Roberto Soldado (89), de penal, certificó el quinto triunfo de local en seis partidos del cuadro del también argentino Mauricio Pellegrino.

El timonel no estuvo en el banquillo por sanción, pero vio como sus hombres subieron provisionalmente al sexto puesto que da opción a jugar copas europeas, pese a reconocer que "no merecimos la victoria".

Tras la salida en tromba del equipo local, el Espanyol reaccionó pero quedó mermado tras la señalización del penal decisivo, en que el árbitro interpretó una rigurosa mano del mexicano Héctor Moreno, expulsado por protestar junto a su compañero Sergio García.

El gol de Soldado y la inferioridad numérica enterraron las opciones del equipo de Pochettino, cuyo puesto peligra.

"El arbitraje fue injusto y recibimos mal trato, pero prefiero morderme la lengua", declaró el técnico.

El Málaga del técnico chileno Manuel Pellegrini igualó provisionalmente los 19 puntos del Betis, actual cuarto clasificado, con su tercera igualada por 0-0 como visitante, pero suma sólo dos puntos de los últimos 12 posibles.

"No hubo diferencias entre ambos equipos", resumió Pellegrini.

Loading Slideshow...

  • FBL-ESP-LIGA-BARCELONA

    Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi looks at the cup as he and his teammates parade on a bus through a crowd of supporters celebrating in the streets of Barcelona on May 13, 2013, two days after their team won the Spanish league. The Catalans didn't even need to set foot on the pitch to seal the title on May 11 as Real Madrid's 1-1 draw with Espanyol meant Barca had already been crowned champions before their 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid on May 12, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ LLUIS GENE (Photo credit should read LLUIS GENE/AFP/Getty Images)

  • FC Barcelona Celebrate Winning The Spanish Liga With A Victory Parade

    BARCELONA, SPAIN - MAY 13: Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona celebrates with team-mates on an open top bus during their victory parade after winning the Spanish Liga title on May 13, 2013 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

  • FBL-ESP-LIGA-ATLETICO-MADRID-BARCELONA

    Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi kicks the ball during the Spanish league football match Atletico de Madrid vs Barcelona on May 12, 2013 at Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid. AFP PHOTO/ PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU (Photo credit should read PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/AFP/Getty Images)

  • The Royal Oak Chronograph Leo Messi No. 10 by Audermas Piguet, is pictured with the jersey of the national soccer team of Argentina during an auction preview at Sotheby's in Geneva, Switzerland, Tuesday, May 7, 2013. The sale is scheduled on May 11 for the Leo Messi Foundation. (AP Photo/Keystone/Jean-Christophe Bott)

  • Club Atletico de Madrid v FC Barcelona - La Liga

    MADRID, SPAIN - MAY 12: Lionel Messi (L) of FC Barcelona gets past Tiago Cardoso Mendez of Club Atletico de Madrid during the La Liga match between Club Atletico de Madrid and FC Barcelona at Vicente Calderon Stadium on May 12, 2013 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

  • Barcelona's Lionel Messi, from Argentina, left, escapes PSG's Marco Verratti, from Italy, during the Champions League quarterfinal second leg soccer match between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain FC at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, April 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

  • Barcelona's Lionel Messi, from Argentina, smiles during the Champions League quarterfinal second leg soccer match between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain FC at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, April 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

  • PSG's Zlatan Ibrahimovic, from Sweden, left, shakes hands with Barcelona's Lionel Messi, from Argentina, at the end of the Champions League quarterfinal second leg soccer match between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain FC at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, April 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

  • Barcelona's Lionel Messi, from Argentina,who started the game on the bench, replaces teammate Cesc Fabregas during the Champions League quarterfinal second leg soccer match between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain FC at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, April 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

  • Barcelona's Lionel Messi, from Argentina, right, looks at Barcelona's head coach Francesc 'Tito' Vilanova, left, as he replaces Barcelona's Cesc Fabregas during the Champions League quarterfinal second leg soccer match between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain FC at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, April 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

  • Barcelona's Lionel Messi, from Argentina, right, replaces Barcelona's Cesc Fabregas during the Champions League quarterfinal second leg soccer match between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain FC at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, April 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

  • Barcelona's Lionel Messi, from Argentina, left, replaces Barcelona's Cesc Fabregas during the Champions League quarterfinal second leg soccer match between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain FC at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, April 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

  • FBL-EUR-C1-BARCELONA-PSG

    Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (R) vies with Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian defender Alex Costa (L) during the UEFA Champions League quarter final second-leg football match FC Barcelona vs Paris Saint-Germain at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on April 10, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ LLUIS GENE (Photo credit should read LLUIS GENE/AFP/Getty Images)

  • FBL-EUR-C1-PSG-BARCELONA

    Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi holds his leg during the Champions League quarter-final football match between Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on April 2, 2013. AFP PHOTO / FRANCK FIFE (Photo credit should read FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Paris St Germain v Barcelona - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final

    PARIS, FRANCE - APRIL 02: Lionel Messi of Barcelona and David Beckham of Paris Saint-Germain during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final match between Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona FCB at Parc des Princes on April 2, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

  • FBL-EUR-C1-PSG-BARCELONA

    Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Champions League quarter-final football match between PSG and Barcelona at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on April 2, 2013. AFP PHOTO / KENZO TRIBOUILLARD (Photo credit should read KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Barcelona's Lionel Messi scores the opening goal while Paris Saint Germain's goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu of Italy looks on during their Champions League quarterfinal soccer match in Paris,Tuesday, April 2, 2013. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

  • Barcelona's Lionel Messi scores the opening goal while Paris Saint Germain's goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu of Italy looks on during their Champions League quarterfinal soccer match in Paris,Tuesday, April 2, 2013. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

  • FBL-WC2014-QUALIFIERS-BOL-ARG

    Argentina's Lionel Messi gestures during the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup South American qualifier football match against Bolivia, at the Hernando Siles stadium in La Paz, on March 26, 2013. AFP PHOTO / JUAN MABROMATA (Photo credit should read JUAN MABROMATA/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Lionel Messi

    Argentina's Lionel Messi reacts during a World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match against Bolivia in La Paz, Bolivia, Tuesday, March 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)

  • Lionel Messi

    Argentina's Lionel Messi sits on the pitch during a World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match against Bolivia in La Paz, Bolivia, Tuesday, March 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)

  • Ever Banega, Clemente Rodriguez, Lionel Messi

    Argentina's Ever Banega, right, celebrates with his teammates Clemente Rodriguez, center, and Lionel Messi, after Ever scored a goal against Bolivia during a 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer game in La Paz, Bolivia, Tuesday, March 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)

  • FBL-WC2014-QUALIFIERS-ARG-TRAINING

    Argentina's forward Lionel Messi smiles during a training session in Ezeiza, Buenos Aires on March 19, 2013 ahead of the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup South American qualifier football match against Venezuela on March 22. AFP PHOTO / Juan Mabromata (Photo credit should read JUAN MABROMATA/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Lionel Messi

    Argentina's Lionel Messi watches teammates during a training session in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, March 19, 2013. Argentina will face Venezuela in a 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer game in Buenos Aires on March 22. (AP Photo/Eduardo Di Baia)

  • Lionel Messi

    Argentina's Lionel Messi leaves the field after a training session in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, March 19, 2013. Argentina will face Venezuela in a 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer game in Buenos Aires on March 22. (AP Photo/Eduardo Di Baia)

  • FBL-WC2014-QUALIFIERS-ARG-TRAINING

    Argentina's forward Lionel Messi gives the thumb up during a training session in Ezeiza, Buenos Aires on March 19, 2013 ahead of the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup South American qualifier football match against Venezuela on March 22. AFP PHOTO / Juan Mabromata (Photo credit should read JUAN MABROMATA/AFP/Getty Images)

  • FBL-WC2014-QUALIFIERS-ARG-TRAINING

    Argentina's forward Lionel Messi (C) poses for pictures with supporters during a training session in Ezeiza, Buenos Aires on March 19, 2013 ahead of the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup South American qualifier football match against Venezuela on March 22. AFP PHOTO / Juan Mabromata (Photo credit should read JUAN MABROMATA/AFP/Getty Images)

  • A visitor poses with the wax figure of Lionel Messi at the Madame Tussauds exhibition in Tokyo, Wednesday, March 13, 2013.(AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye)

  • JAPAN-ENTERTAINMENT-TUSSAUDS

    A Japanese woman inspects the wax figure of football star Lionel Messi at a press preview of Madame Tussauds museum in Tokyo on March 13, 2013. Tokyo's Madame Tussauds museum will exhibit some 60 wax figures of Japanese and foreign stars when it re-opens on March 15. AFP PHOTO / Yoshikazu TSUNO (Photo credit should read YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Barcelona's defender Jordi Alba, right, hugs teammate Lionel Messi, from Argentina, after he scored their second goal during the Champions League round of 16 second leg soccer match between FC Barcelona and AC Milan at Camp Nou stadium, in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, March 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

  • Barcelona's forward Lionel Messi, from Argentina, celebrates after scoring their second goal during the Champions League round of 16 second leg soccer match between FC Barcelona and AC Milan at Camp Nou stadium, in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, March 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

  • FBL-ESP-CUP-BARCELONA-REALMADRID

    Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi reacts during the Spanish Cup semi-final second-leg football match FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid CF at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on February 26, 2013. AFP PHOTO / JOSEP LAGO (Photo credit should read JOSEP LAGO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • FBL-ESP-CUP-BARCELONA-REALMADRID

    Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi reacts during the Spanish Cup semi-final second-leg football match FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid CF at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on February 26, 2013. AFP PHOTO / JOSEP LAGO (Photo credit should read JOSEP LAGO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Barcelona's Lionel Messi from Argentina reacts during a Copa del Rey soccer match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

  • Barcelona's Lionel Messi from Argentina reacts during a Copa del Rey soccer match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

  • Barcelona's Lionel Messi from Argentina reacts after losing the Copa del Rey soccer match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

  • Barcelona's Lionel Messi from Argentina reacts after losing the Copa del Rey soccer match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

  • Lionel Messi

    Barcelona's Lionel Messi from Argentina reacts during their La Liga soccer match against Valencia at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia, Spain, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)

  • Lionel Messi

    Barcelona's Lionel Messi from Argentina makes thumbs-up sign during their La Liga soccer match against Valencia at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia, Spain, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)

  • Victor Ruiz, Lionel Messi

    Barcelona's Lionel Messi from Argentina, left, duels for the ball with Valencia's Victor Ruiz, during their La Liga soccer match at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia, Spain, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)

  • Lionel Messi

    Barcelona's Lionel Messi from Argentina celebrates after scoring against Valencia during their La Liga soccer match at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia, Spain, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)

  • Lionel Messi

    FC Barcelona's Argentinian striker Lionel Messi poses with the trophy after being awarded the FIFA Men's World Player of the Year during the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2012 held at the Kongresshaus in Zurich, Switzerland, Monday, Jan 7, 2013. Messi was named FIFA Men's World Player of the Year for a record-breaking fourth successive year. (AP Photo/Keystone, Walter Bieri)

  • From left: Portugal's Christiano Ronaldo, Spain's Andres Iniesta and Argentina's Lionel Messi, the nominees for the FIFA Men's World Soccer Player of the Year Award, attend a press conference during the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2013 held at the Kongresshaus in Zurich, Switzerland, on Monday, Jan. 7, 2013. (AP Photo/Keystone/Walter Bieri)

  • Argentina's Lionel Messi arrives on the red carpet prior to the FIFA Ballon d'Or soccer Gala 2013 held at the Kongresshaus in Zurich, Switzerland, on Monday, Jan. 7, 2013. (AP Photo/Keystone/Walter Bieri)

  • FBL-FIFA-BALLONDOR

    FIFA Ballon d'Or award winner Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi holds his trophy during the FIFA Ballon d'Or awards ceremony at the Kongresshaus in Zurich on January 7, 2013. AFP PHOTO / OLIVIER MORIN (Photo credit should read OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/Getty Images)

  • FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2012

    ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - JANUARY 07: Lionel Messi of Argentina receives the FIFA Ballon d'Or 2012 trophy on January 7, 2013 in Zurich, Switzerland. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)

  • FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2012

    ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - JANUARY 07: Lionel Messi of Argentina receives the FIFA Ballon d'Or 2012 trophy on January 7, 2013 in Zurich, Switzerland. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)

  • FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2012

    ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - JANUARY 07: Lionel Messi of Argentina attends the press conference with nominees for World Player of the Year and World Coach of the Year for Men's Football prior to the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2013 at Congress House on January 7, 2013 in Zurich, Switzerland. (Photo by Harold Cunningham/Getty Images)

  • FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2012

    ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - JANUARY 07: Lionel Messi of Argentina poses during the red carpet arrivals of the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2013 at Congress House on January 7, 2013 in Zurich, Switzerland. (Photo by Harold Cunningham/Getty Images)

  • Barcelona's midfielder Xavi Hernandez (C) celebrates with Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (L) and Barcelona's defender Jordi Alba after scoring during the Spanish league football match Valladolid vs FC Barcelona at the Jose Zorilla stadium in Valladolid on December 22, 2012. AFP PHOTO / CESAR MANSO (Photo credit should read CESAR MANSO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Real Valladolid CF v FC Barcelona - La Liga

    VALLADOLID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 22: Xavi Hernandez of FC Barcelona celebrates with his teammate Lionel Messi after scoring against Real Valladolid during the La Liga game between Real Valladolid and FC Barcelona at Jose Zorrilla on December 22, 2012 in Valladolid, Spain. (Photo by Victor Fraile/Getty Images)