Barcelona crush Mallorca to extend advantage pending Real Madrid trip to Eibar

Barcelona's Argentine forward Lionel Messi (L) challenges Real Mallorca's Slovak defender Martin Valjent (C) and Real Mallorca's Spanish defender Antonio Raillo during the Spanish League football match between RCD Mallorca and FC Barcelona at the Visit Mallorca stadium (Son Moix stadium) in Palma de Mallorca on June 13, 2020.

Lionel Messi returned without a beard and with a goal and two assists as Barcelona resumed their La Liga title challenge with a thumping 4-0 victory over Real Mallorca.

After three months away because of the coronavirus pandemic, Barca exploded into the lead with just 64 seconds played on Saturday night when Arturo Vidal headed in and Martin Braithwaite struck a second from a Messi headed assist.