BARCELONA - An Alexis Sanchez brace helped Barcelona to a 4-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano on Tuesday, which reduced Real Madrid's lead to three points and showed it will not give up its title without a fight.

Barca was given a quick chance to respond to its 1-0 away defeat to Getafe at the weekend as this fixture was brought forward due to the Catalan side's involvement in the Club World Cup next month in Japan, and it ran out a resounding victor.

While Real has been in ominous form and recorded its 13th consecutive victory by beating local rival Atletico Madrid over the weekend, Barca has stuttered recently away.