Neymar scored four goals as Barcelona moved level on points with La Liga leaders Real Madrid by beating Rayo Vallecano 5-2 at Camp Nou.
Luis Enrique's side fell behind when Javi Guerra scored from close range early on, but Neymar won and scored two penalties to put the hosts on top at the break.
The Brazilian continued his impressive night with two goals in two second-half minutes, before his cross allowed Luis Suarez to add a fifth.
Jozabed fired home in the closing stages to reduce the deficit, but Barcelona cruised to the win to keep the pressure on their rivals.
Read below to find out how the action unfolded.
6.30pmGood evening everyone! A packed day of football continues as we put the international break behind us to focus on Barcelona vs. Rayo Vallecano at Camp Nou. The champions have lost two of their last three league games, but do Rayo stand any chance of causing another shock result?
6.33pmLionel Messi or no Lionel Messi, Barcelona boss Luis Enrique will not accept the performances which came in defeats to Celta Vigo and Sevilla before the international break. Both of those sides deserve credit, but Barcelona need to step up another gear and they will be targeting a big win this evening.
6.35pmFor Rayo, any positive result would be a huge bonus this evening. Paco's side are currently just one point clear of the bottom after back-to-back losses prior to the international break. They'll aim to be difficult to break down tonight, but it will take bravery in attack to claim a shock victory.
6.39pmBARCELONA: Bravo; Sergi Roberto, Piqué, Mathieu, Alba; Alves, Busquets, Rakitic; Sandro, Suárez, Neymar
SUBS: Ter Stegan, Douglas, Mascherano, Barta, Adriano, Gumbau, Munir
SUBS: Ter Stegan, Douglas, Mascherano, Barta, Adriano, Gumbau, Munir
6.42pmEnrique makes two changes to the side which lost to Sevilla a fortnight ago. Dani Alves and Sandro come into the side to replace Javier Mascherano and Munir. Messi and Andres Iniesta are obviously out for the hosts, but Luis Suarez has shaken off a muscular injury to start in attack.
6.45pmThe Rayo team news is still on the way and I'll bring you that as soon as possible.
The omission of Mascherano may come as a slight surprise. He is likely to be used against Bate Borisov in midweek you would expect, but it puts pressure on Jeremy Mathieu once again after receiving criticism for his recent displays.
6.54pmLass Bangoura and Patrick Ebert come in for Raul Baena and Adri Embarda as Rayo boss Paco makes two changes for the toughest test in La Liga. It could be a long night for Javi Guerra, who must use all of his experience to get the visitors up the pitch tonight.
6.57pmIf you missed it earlier, Real Madrid climbed to the top of La Liga by beating Levante 3-0 in a game which saw Cristiano Ronaldo find the net to become the club's all-time leading goalscorer. It moved them three points clear of Barcelona, who must not fall further behind tonight.
7.00pmSergio Busquets captains Barcelona for the second time in La Liga today. There certainly has been a changing of the guard with the departures of Carles Puyol and Xavi in recent years. Busquets remains one of the most important men in this squad.
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7.06pmPaco has no intention of thinking about Messi or Iniesta tonight, with Barcelona capable of threatening from so many different areas. However, the confidence was clear from the Rayo boss in midweek.
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Barca can be beaten and Sevilla and Celta already proved this - we are going there determined to bring home three points," he told Marca.
"Messi and Iniesta are irreplaceable. Injuries affect any team but at least Barca can bring out a very competitive starting XI."
7.08pmSTAT: Barcelona have won the last nine meetings between the two sides. In that stretch of games, the Catalan giants have scored 40 goals and conceded just two.
7.13pmSuarez and Neymar are the key men in Messi's absence, and the former has stressed the need not to panic after those defeats prior to the international break.
"We all know how tough our rivals are," Suarez told La Liga's official website. "Both Real Madrid and Atletico, as well as Valencia or Sevilla, among others, have already shown that.
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"We have to keep believing in ourselves, understanding that teams make mistakes."
7.15pmPREDICTION: Barcelona may have lost two of their last three in La Liga, but even without Messi and Iniesta, I just can't see anything other than a comfortable home win. Rayo really must not concede early, or it could become a very long evening. I'm backing Barcelona to win 4-0.
7.20pmAnother result is in the books. The second La Liga game of the day has finished as a draw, with Sevilla settling for a point after Kevin Gameiro had cancelled out an early strike Eibar's Borja Baston. That leaves Sevilla 10th in the table.
7.22pm
10 minutes to go #FCBRayo #FCBlive pic.twitter.com/4in8sxTbXr
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 17, 20157.26pmSTAT: A statistic that should worry any Rayo supporter this evening. Barcelona have failed to score just twice in their last 74 home La Liga games.
7.29pmHere we go then. Just a few handshakes to get out of the way before the action can take centre stage.
1 minKICKOFF! Rayo get the game underway and the pressure is on immediately as Barcelona hunt in packs to win the ball for the first time.
2 minRayo are already far too open as Sergi Roberto finds Neymar on the break. The Brazilian goes down under a challenge from Razvan Rat, and Barcelona have a free kick on the edge of the box.
3 minNeymar steps up to take the free kick, but he hits a defender and the ball loops up kindly for Tono, who collects with ease.
5 minRayo win an early corner after good work from Bangoura on the wing. Pique climbs highest to clear, but Barcelona have given the ball away on a few occasions already as the visitors make a confident start.
6 minSAVE! Rayo have problems. Sergi Roberto produces a superb pass to release Ivan Rakitic, but the Croatian must not believe the space he has with right-back Nacho caught out of position. It looks destined to be the opening goal before Tono reacts well to make a superb save from the midfielder's strike.
9 minAs you would expect, Barcelona are dominating possession now. The gaps between the Rayo defence and midfield are too big, and that will bring trouble at some stage.
10 minSAVE! Barcelona miss another big chance. A poor goal kick from Tono gifts the ball to Busquets, who immediately finds Suarez in the box. The Uruguayan has space but hits it first time and Tono makes a low save with his leg.
12 minBarcelona have to target Rayo's right side. Nacho is tucking in too much, which is putting pressure on Bangoura, who looks unsure of where he should be when the visitors are defending. They're playing a dangerous game by attempting to retain possession at the back.
13 minSlight opening for the visitors when Rat's ball finds Bebe, who is clear of the last defender but hesitates as Mathieu comes across to clear.
14 minGOAL! BARCELONA 0-1 RAYO (GUERRA)
15 minIs the shock on? Barcelona gift Rayo the lead with some dreadful defending. A corner is taken short but no one picks up the set-piece taker and Bebe punishes the hosts by delivering a superb low cross which Guerra turns in from close range. Excellent from the former Manchester United attacker. Barcelona must respond.
17 minBarcelona have a lot of improving to do at the back. The defensive shape is dreadful as Bangoura takes Alba to the byline before delivering a cross which is just begging to be fired in. Barcelona break and appeal for a penalty, but Neymar goes down too easily under pressure from Llorente. It was on the edge of the box, too.
20 minIt just isn't quite clicking for the hosts yet. Suarez has looked set to break free of the Rayo defence on a couple of occasions, but unusually, his touch has let him down in the final third. The game is starting to open up. More goals on the menu tonight.
21 minPENALTY! It is certainly a penalty this time. Llorente produces one superb tackle to deny Neymar, who gets back up to retain possession. He goes past the defender once again and a desperate challenge has to bring a penalty. Llorente picks up a booking, too.
22 minGOAL! BARCELONA 1-1 RAYO (NEYMAR)
23 minJust like you do at five-a-side in midweek, Neymar uses just one step with his penalty as he slots home with Tono diving in the opposite direction. Barcelona back on level terms and more goals are inevitable with the game being so open.
24 minDISALLOWED GOAL! Barcelona think they are ahead when a cross is delivered to Neymar, who brings the ball down before appearing to find the bottom corner. The offside flag goes up and I think Suarez may have got a touch on the ball while standing in the six-yard-box. Good decision.
25 minCHANCE! There could be a lot of goals tonight. Busquets delivers a fantastic through ball to release Sandro, who fails to keep his composure as he sends an effort high and wide after sprinting clear of the visiting defence.
28 minCLOSE! Opportunities just keep on coming. Rayo press high up the pitch, but Barcelona are attacking within the blink of an eye. Suarez combines with Neymar, who puts one defender on the floor before firing just wide of the post from a tight angle.
29 minRayo need to remember they are on level terms. It is right to be positive when they do get the ball, but the visitors are too often leaving themselves exposed at the back. Barcelona will punish them on the break if it continues. No doubt about it.
31 minPique gets himself into trouble with a miscued clearance, before finally conceding a corner. Guerra meets the cross at the front post, but his header is straight at Bravo.
32 minPENALTY! Oh my word. Stunning from Neymar, who dips into his bag of tricks to roll the ball one way before poking the ball through Nacho's legs. The Brazilian is brought down by the defender's lazy attempt at a tackle and he will have a chance to score again.
32 minGOAL! BARCELONA 2-1 RAYO (NEYMAR)
33 minNever in doubt. Neymar is the calmest man in the ground as he strokes the ball into the bottom corner after sending Tono the wrong way once again. Can Rayo produce a response?
34 minRayo attempt to hit back immediately when Ebert finds space on the edge of the box, but Bravo makes an easy save from a tame effort.
37 minPainful one for Suarez, who is too quick for Ze Castro and takes a kick to the calf. Barcelona controlling the game as they search for another way through to goal.
40 minCredit to Rayo. They're still battling well and a break does always appear to be on against a Barcelona defence which has looked vulnerable. Bebe is unable to control the ball on the wing and Barcelona quickly go up the other end to threaten with Sergi Roberto, whose effort from the edge of the box is pushed away by Tono.
41 minLovely play from Bebe to turn Busquets with an excellent piece of skill, but Alves steps in with a crucial intervention to stop the ball from reaching Ebert.
43 minBarcelona should have been awarded a third penalty! Neymar is the man causing all of the problems once again as he cuts in from the left before being tripped by Nacho. It is such a clear penalty. The referee has made a big error there.
45 minExcellent again from Barcelona as Neymar plays in Alba on the left. His pulled cross finds Suarez, whose attempt to pick out Rakitic is clever but ends in frustration for both players.
8.16pmHALF TIME: BARCELONA 2-1 RAYO VALLECANO
8.18pmFascinating opening 45 minutes at Camp Nou. The game has been played at such a quick pace and opportunities have been frequent. Barcelona have looked the more dangerous since falling behind and they deservedly lead thanks to two Neymar penalties. The Brazilian should have had a third opportunity from the spot, but it was missed by the referee.
8.21pm
3 - Neymar has won more penalties than any other player in the top five European leagues this season. Samba.
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) October 17, 20158.25pmIf Paco is thinking of making changes, it really should be on the right side of defence. Nacho has had an awful first half and Neymar is eyeing him up every time he gets the ball. That battle will continue to bring trouble for the visitors.
8.28pmIt really would not be a surprise if he adds to that tally tonight. The Brazilian has been fantastic.
With his two goals in the first half, @neymarjr has now reached 60 in total with Barça
#FCBlive #FCBRayo pic.twitter.com/5MI2Qe25Kw
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 17, 201546 minRESTART! The game is back underway. One change at the break as Rayo bring on Jose Antonio Dorado to replace Nacho. Good start to the second half from the visitors as the lively Bangoura pulls a cross back to Ebert, who loses his balance and slices wide on the turn.
48 minCHANCE! Barcelona just have not started in this second half. The hosts lose the ball in midfield and almost pay the price. Guerra times his run well to collect the lobbed pass, but his low strike is well saved by Bravo.
49 minYELLOW CARD! Dorado has only been on for a few minutes, but he's already in trouble as he collects a booking for bringing down Sandro.
50 minSAVES! Rayo should probably be level. Rat does brilliantly on the left to deliver an inviting cross, but Bebe is unable to poke the ball past Bravo, who gets up quickly to block the rebound from Ebert. Superb goalkeeping.
52 minSuarez is furious, but he is wrong on this occasions. The Uruguayan appears to be through on goal when he gets in the huge gap between the two central defenders to collect Alba's through ball. However, replays prove he went too early.
54 minThe defensive reshuffle from the visitors has seen Llorente move to right-back, but he must also be careful as he gives away a free kick for a foul on Neymar. He already has a booking to his name. Neymar is a tricky customer in that situation.
56 minSUB! Enrique makes his first change as Sandro comes off to be replaced by Munir.
57 minIt really should be game over. Rayo fail to keep an eye on Neymar out wide and the Brazilian sprints away unchallenged to get into the box. He probably should shoot, but his eagerness to play in Sergi Roberto ends with Dorado making the interception.
59 minRayo, as usual, continue to play the ball around nicely and Llorente takes the opportunity to cut inside before hitting a shot which Bravo collects easily.
60 minIt's almost a nightmare moment for Bravo! He is keen to find his defenders, but a poor touch invites pressure as he smashes the ball against Guerra. The goalkeeper recovers to get his hand on a high ball before the striker can capitalise.
63 minRayo continue to adopt the high line as Suarez is caught in an offside position once again. It's not been the best of evenings for the Uruguayan, but you wouldn't back against him making an impact at some point.
64 minPique just does not look right at the moment. A wild attempt at a clearance ends with a slice to Bangoura, who creates a yard of space before firing into the side-netting.
66 minRayo are just brilliant to watch at times. They build the move from the back and it's Guerra who turns to release Bangoura, but his first touch is poor and a low effort is charged down by Alba.
68 minRakitic has done most of his work close to is defenders, but he breaks forward well to link up with Suarez, who should return a pass but is instead crowded out in the box.
69 minGOAL! BARCELONA 3-1 RAYO (NEYMAR)
69 minGame over! It starts with Neymar on the left as he tees up Suarez, whose low strike is somehow kept out of the bottom corner by Tono. Neymar reacts quickest and fires in the rebound from close range.
70 minGOAL! BARCELONA 4-1 RAYO (NEYMAR)
71 minTwo goals in less than a minute, and it's Neymar who delivers the goods once again. Busquets heads the ball into the path of Suarez, who shows his unselfish side by squaring the ball to allow Neymar to tap his fourth goal into an empty net. What a night for the Brazilian!
73 minSuarez volleys over in frustration. Why? Well, he has just been caught offside for the sixth time tonight.
75 minSuarez has not been happy tonight, but he may have just got slightly lucky after appearing to kick out at Ze Castro while on the ground. There wasn't much in it. Not a clever move, though.
76 minSUB! Busquets is given a rest for the closing stages as he comes off to be replaced by Gerard Gumbau. Pique takes the armband from the midfielder.
77 minGOAL! BARCELONA 5-1 RAYO (SUAREZ)
78 minBarcelona are in cruise control now. It is beautiful football from the home side as Neymar holds up play on the left before delivering a cross which Suarez meets with a fine low finish at the back post. Alves then comes off to be replaced by Douglas.
80 minIncredible scenes on the touchline. Paco appears to have reacted to something a supporter has said behind the dugout, and he looks to be inviting the person to come closer. He needs to be calmed down by the coaching staff. Back on the pitch, Pique picks up a booking for a foul on Bebe.
81 minCHANCE! What an opportunity for Rayo to score their second of the evening. Pique can only head the ball straight down while attempting to deal with a cross, but Ebert fires his shot over from 12 yards out.
84 minRayo are heading for an emphatic loss but they continue to ask questions of the hosts as Bangoura wins a corner. He's been excellent up against Alba tonight.
85 minBravo breathes a sigh of relief when he gets under a Rat cross which bounces across the face of the goal.
86 minGOAL! BARCELONA 5-2 RAYO VALLECANO (JOZABED)
87 minThe scoreline is not pretty, but Rayo have attacked very well this evening and they score for the second time. Another cross causes problems as Barcelona fail to clear the danger, and Jozabed reacts quickly to fire the loose ball past a helpless Bravo.
89 minBarcelona look odds-on to score a sixth on the break as Suarez sprints clear. Tono is backtracking desperately and the chip looks the obvious choice, but Suarez attempts to find Munir to his right and the pass is cut out by Dorado.
90+1 minRayo are still attacking, with Bangoura continuing to cause problems for Alba out wide. Just two minutes added on.
90+2 minVictory is just seconds away from being secured by Barcelona. They have now beaten Vallecano in their last 10 meetings.
9.19pmFULL TIME: BARCELONA 5-2 RAYO VALLECANO
9.21pmIt's all over at Camp Nou. Four goals from the fantastic Neymar and a fifth from Suarez earns the points against Rayo, who will look back on the chances they missed when the game was over. Barcelona move level on points with leaders Real Madrid.
9.22pmThanks for joining me this evening. If you love La Liga, make sure you're with us for Real Sociedad vs. Atletico Madrid, which kicks off at 3pm tomorrow. Goodnight everyone.
