Lionel Messi scored twice and Pedro added another as Barcelona beat Hercules, 3-0, for its 15th straight La Liga win, which drew it level with a 50-year-old record held by the great Real Madrid team captained by Alfredo di Stefano in the 1960-61 season.

"It's an immense honour to share this record with a team such as (Alfredo) Di Stefano's Madrid," Barca coach Pep Guardiola said. "It's stood for half a century and that just shows what a tough thing it is to achieve.

"There was an especially happy atmosphere amongst the players. This has always been a tricky stadium for us and we came into the game after a lot of matches recently, but despite all that, the players have again given a great lesson. They knew the importance of winning here and the chance of equalling the record gave us an extra incentive."

League leader Barcelona, which has a seven-point lead over Real Madrid, can beat the record with a win at home against Atletico Madrid next weekend.