Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain celebrates after scoring a goal against Betis during their Spanish first division soccer match at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid October 15, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

MADRID - Gonzalo Higuain bagged a remarkable third hat-trick in two weeks to steer Real Madrid to a 4-1 win over Real Betis on Saturday while Lionel Messi's double kept Barcelona top of La Liga with a 3-0 victory over Racing Santander.

Messi, the insatiable World Player of the Year, scored in each half at the Nou Camp to take his goal tally to 10 in the league this season as Barca cruised past toothless Racing to make it 17 points from seven games.

Real Madrid are a point back in second place after Messi's Argentina team mate Higuain recorded his second consecutive La Liga treble.

Having scored three against Espanyol, he then repeated the feat against Chile on international duty last week.

"I'm very pleased. After having to wait so long to play, now I'm enjoying myself a lot," the 23-year-old told Spanish television, referring to the back injury that kept him out for much of last season when he lost his place to Karim Benzema.

"I wasn't playing a few weeks ago and I'm just making the most of my opportunities," Higuain added after his second-half hat-trick against Betis took his tally of league goals to eight this season.

France defender Adil Rami put Valencia ahead at Real Mallorca in the 39th minute but the visitors then conceded a stoppage-time penalty.

Tomer Hemed netted from the spot to earn new Mallorca coach Joaquin Caparros a point from his first match.

Valencia are fourth with 14 points, the same as Levante who host big-spending Malaga on Sunday.

Struggling Villarreal and Getafe shared a goalless draw at the Coliseum while Atletico Madrid were held 0-0 at promoted Granada in the late game.