The Argentine and the Welshman scored twice each in 2-0 wins for Barcelona and Real Madrid prior to their meeting in the top-of-the-table clash at Camp Nou next weekend
Real Madrid returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory at home to Levante in the 27th round of La Liga to stay just a point behind Barcelona ahead of the sides' Clasico clash at Camp Nou next Sunday.
Barca beat Eibar 2-0 on Saturday to ensure top spot for the famous fixture, while champions Atletico dropped to fourth after a goalless draw at Espanyol.
Elsewhere, there were wins for Valencia (now third), Rayo Vallecano, Athletic Club, Malaga, Sevilla and Real Sociedad. Here, Goal picks out the standout performers from the latest round of action in the Primera Division.
Barca beat Eibar 2-0 on Saturday to ensure top spot for the famous fixture, while champions Atletico dropped to fourth after a goalless draw at Espanyol.
Elsewhere, there were wins for Valencia (now third), Rayo Vallecano, Athletic Club, Malaga, Sevilla and Real Sociedad. Here, Goal picks out the standout performers from the latest round of action in the Primera Division.
In goal, Kiko Casilla made a number of superb saves as Espanyol denied Diego Simeone's side in a 0-0 draw at Cornella.
At the back, Gerard Pique was excellent for Barcelona as the Catalans claimed a clean sheet and all three points in the Basque Country, while Diego Godin stood firm with a commanding performance for Atletico at Espanyol. Meanwhile, right-back Michel Macedo was in fine form for Almeria as the Andalusians held Villarreal to a 0-0 draw and left-back Benoit Tremoulinas was outstanding in both defence and attack as Sevilla beat Elche 3-0 at the Sanchez Pizjuan.
Luka Modric returned to the Madrid midfield with his first start since a four-month layoff and pulled the strings for an hour before going off for a rest in the 2-0 win over Levante. Elsewhere, Ever Banega was at his best for Sevilla with an all-action display against Elche and Benat helped Athletic continue their recent renaissance with another fine performance as the Basques beat Celta Vigo 2-1 in Galicia.
In attack, Lionel Messi made the difference for Barcelona with both goals and some remarkable runs at Eibar, while Gareth Bale returned to form with a double at the Santiago Bernabeu after nine games without scoring and Rayo's Alberto Bueno continued his excellent streak of late with two more in the Madrid side's 3-1 win over Granada.
At the back, Gerard Pique was excellent for Barcelona as the Catalans claimed a clean sheet and all three points in the Basque Country, while Diego Godin stood firm with a commanding performance for Atletico at Espanyol. Meanwhile, right-back Michel Macedo was in fine form for Almeria as the Andalusians held Villarreal to a 0-0 draw and left-back Benoit Tremoulinas was outstanding in both defence and attack as Sevilla beat Elche 3-0 at the Sanchez Pizjuan.
Luka Modric returned to the Madrid midfield with his first start since a four-month layoff and pulled the strings for an hour before going off for a rest in the 2-0 win over Levante. Elsewhere, Ever Banega was at his best for Sevilla with an all-action display against Elche and Benat helped Athletic continue their recent renaissance with another fine performance as the Basques beat Celta Vigo 2-1 in Galicia.
In attack, Lionel Messi made the difference for Barcelona with both goals and some remarkable runs at Eibar, while Gareth Bale returned to form with a double at the Santiago Bernabeu after nine games without scoring and Rayo's Alberto Bueno continued his excellent streak of late with two more in the Madrid side's 3-1 win over Granada.
