Barcelona claimed another vital three points on their march to the La Liga title thanks mostly to the brilliance of the world's best player, Lionel Messi, who scored one and created the other.

In what was a high-tempered affair, Barcelona finished the game with just nine players after seeing both Gerard Pique and substitute Rafael Marquez dismissed.

Barcelona didn't take long to impose themselves on the game. In just 7 minutes, Toure Yaya tapped the ball back to Messi on the edge of the box and the young Argentine curled in a delightful strike from 20 yards.

Messi continued to haunt the Getafe defense and had several opportunities to further Barcelona's lead, but was thwarted by the goalkeeper.

Gerard Pique saw red on just the 26th minute mark after a lunging tackle that was deemed intentional.

Barcelona were pinned back in the second half but the energy of Xavi, Iniesta and Messi in particular spurred Barcelona on. In the 67th minute Barcelona's lead was doubled. Messi surged forward in typical fashion and drew the whole of the Getafe defense towards him. He pulled the ball backwards and laid on Xavi, who was in an abundance of space, who converted the ball into the goal with relative ease.

Getafe got a late consolation goal in injury time after Marquez was adjudged to have impeded Kepa. Soldado made no mistake from the penalty spot, but Barcelona, thanks largely to the great Messi, won the spoils.