MADRID: Atletico Madrid failed to build on Wednesday’s notable Champions League success against Juventus when they were beaten 3-1 at a resurgent Valencia in La Liga on a day of records for leaders Barcelona on Saturday.

Valencia’s stirring victory at their Mestalla stadium briefly lifted them to the top of the table before in-form pair Lionel Messi and Neymar struck in a 2-0 triumph at nine-man Rayo Vallecano, who had two players sent off, to restore Barca’s two-point lead.

The Catalan club are the first La Liga team to avoid conceding a goal in their opening seven matches of the season.

Messi chipped goalkeeper Antonio “Tono” Rodriguez in the 35th minute for his 249th league goal, leaving him two behind the all-time scoring record held by Telmo Zarra since 1955.

A minute later, Neymar added his seventh league goal in as many rounds, giving the strike pair a combined 13 of Barcelona’s 19 goals in league play.

“This goes in runs. The connection between (Messi and Neymar) is working for us now and others will appear,” Barcelona coach Luis Enrique said.

Rayo was spared a larger defeat thanks to Barcelona not exploiting its chances, despite the hosts finishing two men down after Jorge Morcillo and Javier Aquino received their second bookings.

Barcelona’s sixth win, to go with one draw, left them on 19 points, two points ahead of Valencia.

Atletico paid for their efforts in beating Italian champions Juventus in midweek as a Miranda own goal, Andre Gomes’ strike and a Nicolas Otamendi header by the 13th minute gave Valencia a dream start at Mestalla.

Mario Mandzukic reduced the arrears on the half hour mark, but any hopes of an Atletico comeback were halted when Diego Alves saved Guillherme Siqueira’s tame penalty just before half-time and they ended the match with 10 men as substitute Alessio Cerci was sent-off in stoppage time.

“Valencia started very strongly and we made mistakes that we don’t usually make,” said Atletico boss Diego Simeone. “After that Atletico played very well and they didn’t have any more chances. If we had scored the penalty, perhaps it would have been different.”

Atletico’s first league loss dropped the defending champions five points adrift of Barcelona and provisionally in third.

Also, Eibar scored in injury time to earn a thrilling 3-3 draw with visitors Levante. Malaga rallied for a 2-1 win against visiting Granada, and Almeria drew 2-2 at home with 10-man Elche.

Published in Dawn, October 6th, 2014