Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang set two new records as he helped Barcelona thrash Real Madrid 4-0 in El Clasico.
The former Arsenal striker, who joined the Blaugrana during the January transfer window, scored twice and registered an assist, as Xavi Hernandez 's men recorded a historic result at the Santiago Bernabeu. And, in netting the visitors' first and fourth goals in the stunning rout, Aubameyang helped himself to a place in the history books too.
Aubameyang's opening goal made him the first player to score in five successive games against Los Blancos in the 21st century, heading home Ousmane Dembele 's pinpoint cross before the half-hour mark. The 32-year-old had bagged five goals in his previous four games against them for Borussia Dortmund.
And after Ronald Araujo and Ferran Torres scored either side of half-time, he nabbed another record with his second of the night. Aubameyang chipped over the onrushing Thibaut Courtois to become the first player to be directly involved in three goals on his first Clasico appearance this century. The brace takes his tally since signing for on deadline day to nine goals in 11 games.
Barca's rampant win consolidated third spot in La Liga, while champions-elect Madrid remain nine points clear at the top with as many games to go. After the international break, Aubameyang and co will look to extend their unbeaten run to 13 games when they host second-place Sevilla at the Camp Nou, who could only manage a draw at home to Real Sociedad on Sunday.
With the ex-Arsenal captain firing on all cylinders after a fractious end to his four years in north London, manager Xavi is confident over a strong end to his first season in charge. "I don't know if we can win the title, we can't rule out anything," the boss of a resurgent Blaugrana admitted post-match.
"Maybe we're a bit late, but this is a very big win for us. We were much better than Real Madrid. We played almost as a home team in the the ground. It's a day to enjoy, not only as a Barca manager but also a fan. We could easily have scored five or six. We changed our negative dynamic of losing the last few Clasicos."
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Not only did Aubameyang put his name alongside esteemed company in the history books, but Xavi did too. The 42-year-old became only the third ever Barcelona manager to win his first La Liga Clasico by four or more goals, following Ferdinand Daucik in 1951 and Helenio Herrera eight years later.
Real were without Karim Benzema, forcing manager Carlo Ancelotti to start midfielder Luka Modric in an advanced role, although the Italian made no excuses for Madrid's humiliation, offering fans an apology after only their third league defeat of the campaign.
"We started the second half trying to play one against one at the back - three defenders against their three forwards - but it didn't work. I can only apologise to the fans," Ancelotti lamented. "It's a very tough blow to lose this way. We know we have a good lead at the top of the table. We can't make dramas about this game - we have to move forward."
