Lionel Messi scored twice and Javier Mascherano netted his first goal in seven years as Barcelona kept the pressure on Real Madrid in the La Liga title race by thrashing Osasuna 7-1.

Barca, who moved above Real after their dramatic 3-2 victory in El Clasico on Sunday, enjoyed a comfortable night with goals from Messi (12) and Andre Gomes (30) giving them a 2-0 lead at the break.

Roberto Torres (48) then pulled one back for Osasuna immediately after half-time but four goals in 10 minutes from Gomes, Messi, Paco Alcacer and Javier Mascherano, who scored for the first time in seven years and 60 days, made it 6-1. Alcacer completed the scoring in the 86th minute.

Victory keeps Barca at the top of the table, despite Real's 6-2 win at Deportivo.

Meanwhile, defeat means relegation for Osasuna after Leganes' 3-0 win over Las Palmas.

Luis Enrique rested several of his regular starters, including Luis Suarez, Andres Iniesta and Jordi Alba following gruelling matches against Juventus and Real Madrid, and before the weekend's derby at Espanyol.

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Osasuna found themselves under pressure from the start and were caught out after only 12 minutes. The visitors attempted to knock the ball around at the back but Messi intercepted a loose pass and raced towards goal before flicking the ball over the advancing goalkeeper and into the net.

Messi should have done better than volley over the crossbar from 10 yards out shortly afterwards but Barcelona got their second goal after half an hour when Gomes showed good technique to stroke home a bouncing cross from Ivan Rakitic.

It was a huge surprise when Osasuna halved their deficit in the 48th minute, none more so to goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who remained rooted to the spot as Torres curled a free-kick over the defensive wall and into the far corner of the net.

It stung Barcelona back into life and Salvatore Sirigu did well to tip a Mascherano header wide, although Osasuna now had a taste for it and Ter Stegen had to beat away an effort from Miguel de las Cuevas.

However, any Barcelona nerves were soon to be settled. Gomes got his second after 57 minutes when he was on hand to convert the rebound after Gerard Pique's shot had struck a post and Messi netted his second with a 20-yard curler.

Alcacer latched on to Arda Turan's pass to chip the ball over the advancing Sirigu before Mascherano blasted home a penalty after Denis Suarez was tripped by Fran Merida.

Alcacer completed the rout in the 86th minute with a well-timed run and neat finish to leave Osasuna humiliated.