Messi hat-trick maintains Barcelona title challenge

The Argentine forward headed the opener after only five minutes at the Romareda, and scored a stunning solo effort for the second in the 65th. He completed his second successive La Liga hat-trick 12 minutes from time, before Zaragoza substitute Adrian Colunga grabbed two late goals for the visitors.

Real Madrid continued their perfect home record and moved three points clear at the top of Primera Division on Saturday night, but they were given a scare by Sporting Gijon en route to a 3-1 victory.

A shock looked on the cards when the visitors took a 53rd-minute lead through David Barral. However, that goal served to spark Madrid into life and within four minutes they were 2-1 ahead thanks to strikes from Rafael van der Vaart and Xabi Alonso. Gonzalo Higuain then slotted home his 20th goal of the season in the 68th minute as Madrid made it 14 league wins out of 14 at the Bernabeu this term.

In Italy, Sampdoria climbed to fifth in Serie A after a narrow win over struggling Juventus in Genoa. Antonio Cassano scored the only goal of the game in the 77th minute, a breathtaking shot from 32 yards out which stunned Juve keeper Antonio Chimenti.

AC Milan missed out on the chance to overtake Inter at the top of Serie A as they were held to a draw at home to Napoli. Hugo Campagnaro put Napoli ahead in the 13th minute, but Filippo Inzaghi equalised 12 minutes later.

On Saturday, Inter drew 1-1 at Palermo. Diego Milito put Inter ahead with a penalty, but Edinson Cavani pulled Palermo level before half-time. Inter have won just one of their last six league games. Roma stayed third after beating Udinese 4-2. Luca Toni opened the scoring before Mirko Vucinic took over, netting a hat-trick.

Champions League quarter-finalists Bordeaux consolidated their place at the top of Ligue 1 after they came from behind to beat 10-man Lille at the Stade Chaban-Delmas, while in the Bundesliga, Bayern Munich held on to top spot despite a 2-1 away defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt.